Premorbid “overactive” lifestyle in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia

Houdenhove, Boudewijn Van; Neerinckx, Eddy; Onghena, Patrick; Lysens, Roeland; Vertommen, Hans

doi:10.1016/s0022-3999(01)00247-1

Cited by 155 publications

(80 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…A substantial subgroup of FM patients seems to be characterised by problematic self-esteem and immature defence mechanisms with a tendency to anxiety, depression, and lack of emotional openness [74]. This may lead to compensatory overactive lifestyles [75], excessive striving for high achievement and recognition [76]as well as aggression inhibition and harm avoidance [77]. Such personality factors and behavioural styles may in the long run become an important source of chronic (physical and/or psychosocial) stress.…”

Section: Possible Role Of Stress In the Aetiology Of Fmmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fibromyalgia: A Stress Disorder?

Houdenhove

Egle

2004

Psychother Psychosom

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200

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Fibromyalgia (FM) is a controversial syndrome, characterised by persistent widespread pain, abnormal pain sensitivity and additional symptoms such as fatigue and sleep disturbance. The syndrome largely overlaps with other functional somatic disorders, particularly chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Although the exact aetiology and pathogenesis of FM are still unknown, it has been suggested that stress may play a key role in the syndrome. This article first reviews the function of the stress response system, placing special emphasis on the relationships between adverse life experiences, stress regulation and pain-processing mechanisms, and summarising the evidence for a possible aetiopathogenetic role of stress in FM. Finally, an integrative biopsychosocial model that conceptualises FM as a stress disorder is proposed, and the clinical and research implications of the model are discussed.

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Section: Possible Role Of Stress In the Aetiology Of Fmmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fibromyalgia: A Stress Disorder?

Houdenhove

Egle

2004

Psychother Psychosom

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200

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“…This hypothesis is, on the one hand, based on the fact that negative life events (often combined with a viral infection or a physical trauma) [10, 11, 12, 13], victimisation experiences [14, 15]and the mental or physical stress of an overactive lifestyle [16, 17]have been found to be frequently associated with the development of CFS/FM. On the other hand, there is ample evidence that CFS and FM patients are confronted with severe psychosocial stress related to coping and adaptation problems, a lack of comprehension by the environment and uncertainties surrounding the nature and prognosis of their condition [18, 19, 20, 21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Daily Hassles Reported by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Patients in Tertiary Care: A Controlled Quantitative and Qualitative Study

Houdenhove

Neerinckx²,

Onghena

et al. 2002

Psychother Psychosom

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Background: This study aimed at providing insight in the frequency, emotional impact and nature of daily hassles, experienced by patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and/or fibromyalgia (FM), compared with patients with a chronic organic disease. Methods: One hundred and seventy-seven CFS/FM patients, 26 multiple sclerosis (MS) and 26 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were investigated within 2–6 months after diagnosis. All patients completed a self-report questionnaire assessing daily hassles and associated distress, a visual analogue scale assessing fatigue and pain and a depression and anxiety questionnaire. Results: CFS/FM patients show a higher frequency of hassles, higher emotional impact and higher fatigue, pain, depression and anxiety levels compared with MS/RA patients. Three hassle themes dominate in the CFS/FM group: dissatisfaction with oneself, insecurity and a lack of social recognition. In contrast, hassles reported by MS/RA patients show a much larger diversity and are not focused on person-dependent problems. Conclusions: Patients recently diagnosed as suffering from CFS and/or FM are highly preoccupied and distressed by daily hassles that have a severe impact on their self-image, as well as their personal, social and professional functioning. An optimal therapeutic approach of CFS and FM should take account of this heavy psychosocial burden, which might refer to core themes of these patients’ illness experience.

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“…Increased sensitivity to cortisol is typically a result of long-term hypocortisolism, and is thought to be a compensatory mechanism. 15 PrePrints CFS patients appear to have an "action-prone" (or hyperactive) personality, 16 which then appears to result in a "crash" of the stress system due to excessive chronic stress. 17 The HPA axis dysfunction in CFS appears to be due to enhanced HPA axis negative feedback, which may be mediated by mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors in the brain.…”

Section: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal Axismentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistent burnout theory of chronic fatigue syndrome

Jameson¹

2015

Preprint

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There is no agreement on the etiology of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and the main theories (behavioural and viral/immune) do not satisfactorily explain all findings. A growing body of evidence shows that CFS appears to be a dysfunction of the stress system-and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in particular-as a result of chronic stress. CFS shares many similarities to occupational burnout, including similar symptoms, physiological abnormalities and triggers. After a review of the available evidence, Ihypothesize that CFS is a state of persistent burnout that remains after the initial stressors have been removed. This persistence may be due to a combination of a dysregulation of the HPA axis and behavioural factors. Existing theoriesChronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is the internationally accepted term for long-term, disabling fatigue-along with other symptoms such as musculoskeletal pain, sleep disturbances and impaired concentration-which has no known medical cause. 1There is no generally accepted theory as to what causes CFS. The main theories about the etiology of CFS are the psychiatric (cognitive behavioural) theory, and the viral theory. The cognitive behavioural theory posits that CFS is caused by an initial trigger (such as a virus or stressor), but maintained by behavioural factors such as exercise avoidance and abnormal illness beliefs. 2 The viral theory posits that CFS is caused either by a so-far-undetected virus, or that the immune system in patients is compromised and allows viruses such as herpesvirus to persist. 3 The problem with the cognitive behavioural theory is that it does not adequately explain all of the signs and symptoms of CFS, such as the endocrine and immune irregularities, simply putting these down to mind-body interactions without really trying to explain them. It also does not adequately explain findings about patients' history, personality and pre-morbid lifestyle. 4

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Premorbid “overactive” lifestyle in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia

Cited by 155 publications

References 24 publications

Fibromyalgia: A Stress Disorder?

Fibromyalgia: A Stress Disorder?

Daily Hassles Reported by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Patients in Tertiary Care: A Controlled Quantitative and Qualitative Study

Persistent burnout theory of chronic fatigue syndrome

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