Mood Swings and Fibromyalgia

One of the most devastating side effects of Fibro-flare-ups has to be the sweeping mood swings.  Sadly, fibro suffers are acutely aware of the them but feel powerless to exercise any long term control.  Anger, frustration, fear, depression, and self-pity can attack with such great intensity for the minutest situation and then disappear in a matter of minutes.  Unfortunately, looking back, FMS suffers, evaluate the outburst like video reruns asking such questions as:

How can I take back what I just said?
How do those closest to me tolerate me?
Am I affecting my children with these outbursts?
Why did I just get so angry?
My spouse is a saint for putting up with me.
How can I make this up to those I love?
How can I avoid this from happening again?
Am I going crazy?

Female patients cry buckets from trivial issues and both men and woman can have uncontrollable angry outbursts from the slightest provocation.  During an outburst, you may grasp how irrational you're being, but you're unable to admit or stop it from happening.

How to You Can Help Yourself and Those Around You

1. First and foremost, realize that you have these seesaw moods, and you are sometimes powerless to stop them.  Stop beating yourself up!
2. On calmer days, chat with your spouse and children.  Mention to them you're sorry for the way you've acted, and be honest that you are trying but sometimes you have little control on how you are affected on bad days.  Tell them how much you love them.
3. Remind those you love that you are sick and your brain is involved in this illness.  Express that you try to avoid stress and prohibit these events from happening, but sometimes life hands you lemons.
4. Pause when you start feeling super emotional.   Excuse yourself and go to a room of reprieve.  Let others know this room is off limits when you feel this way.  Explain you need a few minutes to yourself to collect your thoughts.  If you don't have a room of reprieve, make one!
5. When you are alone, have a book handy, a movie, or whatever else makes you happy.
6. If your house is full ib this day, take a walk.  Outdoors can renew your spirit always!
7. When a situation arises that you can feel tension surfacing say, "I'm going to stop now and deal with this later."  Make sure others around you know that you need a few minutes, hours, or days to think this through.  Take heart a rational decision will surface when you are feeling well again.
8. Recognize that cognitive impairment and emotional overreaction are abnormal normals for fibromyalgia. They are experienced to some degree by all sufferers.
9. Most importantly, find something to laugh about immediately.  Laughter cures all explosions!