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The SCARS Institute Magazine about Scam Victims-Survivors, Scams, Fraud & Cybercrime

Fibromyalgia & Psychological Trauma Link – Medical Health Alert

Author:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Connection Between Psychological Trauma And Fibromyalgia Is A Complex

The connection between psychological trauma and fibromyalgia is a complex and multifaceted one, with growing research suggesting a significant link between the two!

Here’s what is known about the link Between Fibromyalgia and Psychological Trauma

Evidence for the Fibromyalgia and Psychological Trauma Connection

Prevalence: Studies show significantly higher rates of various types of psychological trauma, including childhood abuse, emotional neglect, relationship scams and other crimes, and PTSD, in individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia compared to the general population.
Shared biological mechanisms: Both psychological trauma and fibromyalgia involve alterations in stress response systems, inflammation, and pain processing pathways. Trauma can lead to chronic stress, dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and increased inflammatory markers, all of which are also implicated in fibromyalgia.
Neuroimaging studies: Research suggests altered brain activity in regions involved in pain perception and emotional regulation in both psychological trauma and fibromyalgia patients.
Treatment response: Some studies suggest that psychological trauma-focused therapies may improve fibromyalgia symptoms, further highlighting the potential connection.

Possible Explanations for the Fibromyalgia and Psychological Trauma Link:

Neurological sensitization: Psychological trauma can lead to increased sensitivity in pain pathways, making individuals more susceptible to pain from various sources, including chronic widespread pain like fibromyalgia.
Altered pain processing: Psychological trauma can alter how the brain processes pain signals, leading to heightened sensitivity and chronic pain perception.
Dysregulated stress response: Chronic stress from Psychological trauma can disrupt the HPA axis and lead to increased inflammation, contributing to fibromyalgia symptoms.
Genetic vulnerability: Some individuals may have a genetic predisposition for both psychological trauma and fibromyalgia, increasing the risk of developing both conditions.

It’s important to note that the connection between psychological trauma and fibromyalgia is not a simple cause-and-effect relationship. Other factors like genetics, physical health conditions, and lifestyle choices likely play a role in the development of fibromyalgia. Be sure to speak with your medical professional about this topic if you are concerned.

Implications for Treatment of Psychological Trauma and Fibromyalgia

Understanding the connection between trauma and fibromyalgia can inform a more holistic approach to treatment.

This may involve:

Trauma-focused therapy: Addressing underlying psychological trauma can help individuals manage symptoms and improve overall well-being.
Stress management techniques: Techniques like mindfulness and relaxation can help regulate the stress response and potentially reduce pain.
Multimodal treatment: Combining pain management strategies like medication and physical therapy with psychological trauma therapies can provide a comprehensive approach to fibromyalgia.

If You are Living with Fibromyalgia and have experienced Psychological Trauma

It’s important to seek professional help.

A healthcare provider can assess your individual needs and recommend appropriate treatment options. Remember, you are not alone, and there are effective ways to manage both conditions and improve your quality of life.

SCARS Resources:

For New Victims of Relationship Scams newvictim.AgainstScams.org
Subscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.org
Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
Global Cyber Alliance ACT Cybersecurity Tool Website: Actionable Cybersecurity Tools (ACT) (globalcyberalliance.org)
Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
Donate to SCARS and help us help others at donate.AgainstScams.org
Worldwide Crisis Hotlines: International Suicide Hotlines – OpenCounseling : OpenCounseling
Campaign To End Scam Victim Blaming – 2024 (scamsnow.com)

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Please share your thoughts in a comment below!

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Positivity Can Be a Form of Gaslighting – 2025

Nostalgia Helps Scam Victims Reconnect With Their Lives – 2025

Betrayal Blindness – A Reason Scam Victims Do Not See The Scam – 2025

Conformity and Peer Pressure in Scam Recovery Groups – 2025

Scam Victims Are Using ChatGPT/AI Chatbots for Psychological Support & Diagnosis with Disastrous Results – 2025

Assertiveness for Scam Victims – Regaining Your Voice, Setting Boundaries, and Stopping Manipulation – A SCARS Institute Book – 2025

Superiority – Why Certain People Do Not Want You to Recover After Trauma – 2025

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Please share your thoughts in a comment above!

SCARS LINKS: AgainstScams.org RomanceScamsNOW.com ContraEstafas.org ScammerPhotos.com Anyscam.com ScamsNOW.com

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Published On: December 14th, 2023Last Updated: December 14th, 2023Categories: Tim McGuinness PhD, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • SCAM VICTIM HEALTH, 2023, ARTICLETags: Fibromyalgia, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, Psychological Trauma, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victims, Victim Trauma0 CommentsTotal Views: 544Daily Views: 1558 words2.8 min read

WHAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT LATEST SITE COMMENTS

See Comments for this Article at the Bottom of the Page

on Transference And Emotional Danger After The Scam – 2024: “Thank you for the kind but firm reminder that the person in the stolen profile photo has their own life.…” Jul 9, 01:26
on ‘Mental Defeat’ – The Unique Condition Of Giving Up – 2024: “Thank you for another great article. I can see from this article that mental defeat would be debilitating to a…” Jul 9, 00:49
on Trust: Romance Scams Betrayal And Scam Victims – 2024: “This provided valuable insight that I can identify with” Jul 8, 16:44
on A Scam Victim in Extreme Distress – Stopping the Pain – 2024: “Your trust issues are very understandable. We are very sorry this happened to you. We suggest that you contact an…” Jul 8, 14:42
on A Scam Victim in Extreme Distress – Stopping the Pain – 2024: “My online counselors advised me to check myself in. I went to the hospital because I was suicidal. After I…” Jul 8, 13:44
on Scam Victim Catastrophizing Making Recovery Difficult 2024: “Excellent article on catastrophizing. I can understand how this could take a person down a rabbit warren of never ending…” Jul 8, 12:12
on The Self-Pity Trap & How To Overcome It – 2023 – [UPDATED 2025]: “I am not in the habit of feeling sorry for myself. After the deception, although it was not easy at…” Jul 8, 11:49
on Pride – A Dual Edged Sword For Scam Victims – 2023 [UPDATD 2024]: “Looking back over my life I have seen how pride has impacted me both positively and negatively. However the negative…” Jul 8, 09:08
on The Self-Pity Trap & How To Overcome It – 2023 – [UPDATED 2025]: “I felt self-pity while the enormity of my financial loss washed over me like a tsunami. The self-pity lasted only…” Jul 7, 18:55
on The Uniqueness Of Scam Victims Or Fraud Victims – 2024: “unfortunately all true. It is highly stressful dealing with the aftermath. I am being sued for the money I borrowed…” Jul 6, 12:50
on Scam Victims & Mental Health Blaming – 2023 [UPDATED 2025]: “For most of my life words have defeated me, made me feel insignificant, unwanted, unneeded. For this reason it is…” Jul 5, 13:36
on Substance Abuse Susceptibility And Scam Victims – 2024: “It is understandable how some would feel that alcohol or substance abuse would be helpful in handling their feelings after…” Jul 1, 20:36
on Scam Victims Use Work To Avoid Healing: “The last 6 years have been the most difficult of my life. The pandemic, having both parents in the hospital…” Jun 29, 18:38
on Entitlement Mentality And How Scam Victims Often Lose Their Path To Recovery – 2024: “Thank you for this discussion of entitlement. I can see from the descriptions listed that I have not felt entitlement.…” Jun 29, 18:22
on The Uniqueness Of Scam Victims Or Fraud Victims – 2024: “Really informative” Jun 28, 08:58
on Samurai Wisdom and Rituals for Clearing the Mind After Scam Trauma – 2025 – [VIDEOS]: “A great guide on how to move forward in our recovery process with a calm mind, cleansed on an ongoing…” Jun 28, 07:34
on Delayed Gratification and Patience in Scam Victim Recovery – 2025 – [VIDEOS]: “We want to recover quickly and… we make new mistakes. How not to speed up the recovery process, how to…” Jun 28, 06:41
on The Unique Injury Of Betrayal Trauma On Scam Victims – 2024: “Primarily because you did not see it coming” Jun 27, 23:57
on Changes In A Scam Victim’s Life: “I really detest the way my trust in others has been affected by the scamming I went through. I used…” Jun 27, 14:47
on The Unique Injury Of Betrayal Trauma On Scam Victims – 2024: “Betrayal Trauma is the worst feeling ever. Why does it seem so much worse when a scammer does that to…” Jun 27, 14:34

Important Information for New Scam Victims

Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
SCARS Institute now offers a free recovery program at www.SCARSeducation.org
Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery

If you are looking for local trauma counselors, please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org

If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines

Statement About Victim Blaming

Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and not to blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and help victims avoid scams in the future. At times, this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims; we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.

These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens, and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.

Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org

SCARS INSTITUTE RESOURCES:

If You Have Been Victimized By A Scam Or Cybercrime

♦ If you are a victim of scams, go to www.ScamVictimsSupport.org for real knowledge and help

♦ Enroll in SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org

♦ To report criminals, visit https://reporting.AgainstScams.org – we will NEVER give your data to money recovery companies like some do!

♦ Follow us and find our podcasts, webinars, and helpful videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RomancescamsNowcom

♦ Learn about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org

♦ Dig deeper into the reality of scams, fraud, and cybercrime at www.ScamsNOW.com and www.RomanceScamsNOW.com

♦ Scam Survivor’s Stories: www.ScamSurvivorStories.org

♦ For Scam Victim Advocates visit www.ScamVictimsAdvocates.org

♦ See more scammer photos on www.ScammerPhotos.com

You can also find the SCARS Institute on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and TruthSocial

Psychology Disclaimer:

All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only

The information provided in this and other SCARS articles are intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.

Note about Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices have the potential to create psychological distress for some individuals. Please consult a mental health professional or experienced meditation instructor for guidance should you encounter difficulties.

While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.

Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.

If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.

Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here

If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair, please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.