Should fibromyalgia be treated differently in teens?
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Celeste Cooper answered:Addressing problems with pain, sleep and common comorbid conditions are primary in treating FM and should not change with age, however, teens deal with different external forces than adults do. Peer pressure, the need to be included, and if isolation occurs it can have a powerful impact on growth and development.
Recognition of teen pressures should be a primary consideration. Factors to consider should include the effect of pain and altered sleep on cognition, school studies, and interpersonal relationships. A teen may need to talk with other teens with chronic illness and the obstacles they face, which are different from those of adults. Careful observation of symptoms of depression and anxiety is indicated so appropriate treatments, including psychotherapy by a clinician that specializes is adolescent pain disorders can be initiated. Development of healthy coping mechanisms during this period of development is particularly important.
Medication, exercise tolerance, and addressing ineffective sleep patterns should be well thought-out when recommendations are made. It is extremely important that the teen is active in hobbies and groups that keep them interacting with their peers.
Presence of comorbid conditions should be identified and treated appropriately, and teens should be encouraged to discuss any untoward effects of therapies and medications.
All blogs, posts and answers are based on the work in Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by Celeste Cooper, RN, and Jeff Miller, PhD. 2010, Vermont: Healing Arts press and are not meant to replace medical advice. http://www.thesethree.com
Author of Chapter Five, Living with and Coping Effectively Through Fibromyalgia: Detecting Barriers, Understanding the Clues, in Fibromyalgia Insider Secrets: 10 Top Experts, 2nd Ed. Ebook complied by Deirdre Rawlings, ND, PhD http://www.fibromyalgiainsidersecrets.com/idevaffiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=121_0_1_59
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Addressing problems with pain, sleep and common comorbid conditions are primary in treating FM and should not change with age, however, teens deal with different external forces than adults do. Peer pressure, the need to be included, and if... More
