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Has anyone tried cognitive behavioral therapy?

A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
Andover, MN

Curious if anyone has tried CBT or brain retraining and if they’ve had any success with it. This is what Mayo Clinic would like me to try along with managing my anxiety better.

November 27, 2025
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Reactions
A MyFibroTeam Member

@A MyFibroTeam Member, I've tried CBT and gave found it beneficial not just in managing fibro but with overall quality of my life. Is it easy to practice? Not at all. U wish there were a CBT pill you could take daily! It requires commitment and openness. For me it has been slow, but once it clicks, you experience huge release. It feels like you're swimming upstream -- with the difference that there are no easier alternatives. You're breaking brain/mental habits that have been formed since your childhood by your parents and your environment, culture and their norms. Beliefs and patterns which form who you are and how you respond to what happens to you and around you. You need to be patient and have a lot of compassion for yourself AND who/what has created those patterns in you in the first place. Changes could come only if you're okay with gradual change and gaining awareness and th ability to notice what needs to shift. For me it has been 4 years now and I do feel I need regular support sessions with a professional every once in a while. At Mayo Clinic, I bet you receive high quality training and support. I wish you the best. AND, thanks for sharing what you're learning with us. Take care.
💜🌷💜

November 27, 2025
A MyFibroTeam Member

Yes. Me too Vera! It has helped me in all areas of my life in countless ways!!!

November 27, 2025
MyFibroTeam

Has anyone tried cognitive behavioral therapy for fibromyalgia?

Yes, many people with fibromyalgia have found success with CBT and brain retraining techniques. These approaches are actually recommended as helpful treatments for managing both the physical and emotional aspects of fibromyalgia.

CBT can help you work through Show Full Answer

Has anyone tried cognitive behavioral therapy for fibromyalgia?

Yes, many people with fibromyalgia have found success with CBT and brain retraining techniques. These approaches are actually recommended as helpful treatments for managing both the physical and emotional aspects of fibromyalgia.

CBT can help you work through stress, change thoughts and behaviors that contribute to physical symptoms like pain, and develop healthier coping strategies. It's particularly useful for addressing the anxiety and depression that often accompany fibromyalgia.

What members have experienced:

A MyFibroTeam member shared how working with a chronic pain counselor taught them to "retrain my brain" and shift their focus from pain to something positive. They noted that as they learned to redirect their thoughts, their outlook changed significantly and they began to heal.

Another member found that learning to cope with fibromyalgia pain through these techniques actually helped them manage stressful situations better overall. Additional approaches that work well with CBT:

* Mindfulness-based stress reduction
* Relaxation techniques
* Meditation apps like Headspace or Calm
* Deep-breathing exercises

Many people combine CBT with other lifestyle changes like gentle exercise and better sleep habits for the best results. Since Mayo Clinic is recommending this approach along with anxiety management, you're on a path that's shown real promise for others with fibromyalgia.

November 27, 2025
A MyFibroTeam Member

That's wonderful, Christine! Good for you for considering working with a therapist.

November 29, 2025
A MyFibroTeam Member

I’ve been told I should enlist the help of a therapist so I may do that. It could at least help me get a handle on how to begin. The Mayo Clinic did give me a ton of resources to help me as well.

November 27, 2025

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