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“The Fibromyalgia Network Journal is the most scientifically sound, most up-to-date, and easiest to understand of ALL of my fibromyalgia sources. I recommend it to my patients and read it carefully myself."
Richard Podell, M.D.
Clinical Professor
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

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Coping


Feeling Negative About Your Illness Outlook?

"Do you know what my fibromyalgia is?" one mother inquisitively asked her young daughter. "Yes, mommy, it's what makes you grumpy!"

An optimistic person might say that there's a silver lining to everything in life; you just have to look for it. But searching for life's fulfillment isn't easy, and it can be especially difficult if you have a chronic illness that interferes with your daily activities. Yet, keeping a positive outlook may be your best survival tactic for learning to live with your illness.

Sure, you have ample cause to feel angry, frustrated, and grumpy about your fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. For many, fibromyalgia is like a bad dream that has come true. But do you think your family, friends or co-workers like to see you gloomy? No! They would prefer to be around someone who is happy, someone who exudes cheerfulness. Friends may not tell you to get a better attitude ... that would be insensitive and rude. Instead, they may simply choose to keep their distance and leave you alone!

But you don't want to be left alone. You need your family and friends to help cheer you up and get through the bad times—whether they be the financial strain of medical bills or the fibromyalgia symptoms themselves. So appearing down and out (regardless of how you feel), isn't to your advantage.

Here are just a few tips on how to keep a positive outlook:

Maybe you can help them adjust their attitude and you both will be a lot happier!
Changing your outlook and building a positive attitude with a chronic illness is no easy task, but it can greatly improve your life. You can keep your old friends (if you want) and make new ones as well. You can change the way people view you, and they certainly won't associate your fibromyalgia with grumpiness!

Getting Help

Learning to co-exist with the unyielding pain, fatigue, and many symptoms of fibromyalgia can be a tough job but it is doable. For many patients, the onset of chronic illness tends to come between them and the people they love. Yet, hanging onto your relationships is a key ingredient for successfully coping with your fibromyalgia. Three options to improve your ability to cope with the impact of fibromyalgia are:

  • Special Issue on Relationships. Don't let chronic illness interfere with your ties to family and friends.
  • Consider our 6-Back Issue Membership Pack. This includes 6 back issues containing timeless coping articles to get you up to speed, along with your our quarterly Journal and monthly eNews Alerts.
  • Sign up for a Membership. Between the Journal and eNews Alerts, you will learn how to handle a variety of tough situations.


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