Some medical experts claim that there is a strong connection between fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder. In fact, one in every five fibromyalgia patients is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, according to a recent 2015 study published in Journal of Affective Disorder. This is not surprising since there are similarities between the fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder. As a matter of fact, the two conditions are sometimes misdiagnosed as the other.
Conditions Co-existing
The link between fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder starts with the frequency of both disorders occurring together. According to the meta-analysis study, fibromyalgia patients have a 7.5 times higher chance of having bipolar disorder than those without fibromyalgia. The aforementioned study is the first to suggest the prevalence of bipolar disorder in fibromyalgia and express concerns with the frequent use of antidepressants in fibromyalgia treatment.
However, there is no conclusive evidence to provide a reason for the high number of people who are suffering from both conditions simultaneously. Furthermore, it is difficult to conclude whether fibromyalgia makes a person more susceptible to bipolar disorder or vice versa.
Thank you so much for your e-mailed very much appreciated and I can identify with so much of the information contained. Thanks again . Be well.
Thank you for your email I have had fibromyalgia for the last 6 years had an op what went wrong and this came I do yoga and swim but I still find it hard coping with all this is a horrible thing mines active all the while thanks for your email
I had been diagnosed as having bipolar disorder also along with my fibro but I knew it was just that I had fibromyalgia all along with crazy mood swings. Very helpful article.