Counting My Spoons

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You are here: Home / Archives for depression

Symptoms and Signs of Fibromyalgia

Last Updated: August 13, 2018

signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia

While the hallmark symptom or sign of fibromyalgia is chronic widespread body pain, that is not the only symptom of fibromyalgia. Nor does simply saying widespread body pain really express what that means. The same is true with the other standard symptom of fibromyalgia - chronic fatigue. The … [Read more...]

37 Comments Filed Under: Fibromyalgia, Symptoms Tagged With: anxiety, brain fog, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, depression, headaches, ibs, sensitivities, sleep, sweating, urinary issues

Getting Past the Sadness and Isolation of Chronic Pain

Last Updated: June 18, 2018

Dealing with The Sadness and Isolation of Chronic Pain

  Getting Past the Sadness and Isolation of Chronic Pain guest post by Sarah Anne Shockley   All of us living with chronic pain are aware of how difficult it is on a physical level. Very aware, most of the time. But what we sometimes don’t acknowledge is the immense toll living … [Read more...]

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Coping, Extra Spoons Tagged With: asking for help, depression, self-compassion

The Many Shades of Hidden Illness

Last Updated: November 11, 2016

Hidden Illnesses Explained

I have multiple hidden illnesses as do most of us. It seems much like Lays potato chips you can't have just one. My hidden illnesses include Fibromyalgia, TMJ, migraine, endometriosis, and thyroid disorder and IBS and probably one or two more that aren't coming to me at the moment. Chances are you … [Read more...]

2 Comments Filed Under: endometriosis, Fibromyalgia, migraine Tagged With: brain fog, chronic fatigue, chronic illness, chronic pain, depression, invisible illness, lupus

The Relationship between Stress, Depression & Fibromyalgia

Last Updated: September 16, 2016

The relationship between stress, depression, & Fibromyalgia

The Relationship Between Stress, Depression & Fibromyalgia Stress plays a major role in both fibromyalgia and depression. While there are many similarities in fibromyalgia and depression, including brain areas that are activated and how both respond to stress, fibromyalgia is more than just … [Read more...]

1 Comment Filed Under: Coping, Fibromyalgia, Medical Studies Tagged With: anxiety, depression, mental health, personality, stress

Why I’m Quitting Amitriptyline for Fibromyalgia

Last Updated: August 19, 2016

Why I'm breaking up with amitriptyline

Why I’m Quitting Amitriptyline for Fibromyalgia guest post by Boni Wagner-Stafford   I woke up this morning much sooner than I’d really like. Just ninety minutes after the last time I got up to pee and six hours after getting into bed. I’m best on between eight and nine hours’ sleep each … [Read more...]

9 Comments Filed Under: Fibromyalgia, Medications, migraine Tagged With: brain fog, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, depression, medications

7 things you need to let go of to feel better

Last Updated: January 18, 2016

7 things to let go of to feel better

7 Things You Need to Let Go Of, To Feel Better   Sometimes we hold on so tightly to things that we don't need. I think that when we live with chronic illness we hold on even tighter. Illness strips so much away from us that we can feel it necessary to hold onto anything that's left, … [Read more...]

2 Comments Filed Under: Coping, inspiration, relationships Tagged With: decreasing pain, decreasing stress, depression

The effect of health goals on health outcomes (study)

Last Updated: January 15, 2016

are your health goals within your grasp?

There are two types of people - internals and externals. Internals take the blame for everything because they feel that they are in control of the world around them, of how they react, how they behave, and even what happens to them. Externals look to the world around them for answers, when things … [Read more...]

9 Comments Filed Under: Coping, Medical Studies Tagged With: alternative therapies, depression, health

Movie Review: Cake starring Jennifer Aniston

Last Updated: October 23, 2015

Cake: A story of chronic pain, depression, & grief When the movie Cake first came out in 2014 the chronic pain community was buzzing about the story and Jennifer Aniston’s portrayal of a woman living with chronic pain. However, the reviews seemed a bit mixed. Some I read loved it and others … [Read more...]

3 Comments Filed Under: Coping Tagged With: chronic pain, depression, review

The Stigma of Mental Illness – #StoptheStigma

Last Updated: May 22, 2015

The Stigma of Mental Illness Last fall (2014) I took Experimental Psychology and one of the projects we worked on was related to mental illness stigma. I've wanted to share a part of the paper I wrote for that and thought that since May is Mental Illness Awareness Month now would be ideal. Before … [Read more...]

3 Comments Filed Under: Close to My Heart, Medical Studies Tagged With: acceptance, anxiety, depression, mental health, personality

Fighting the Twins: Fibromyalgia and Depression

Last Updated: December 14, 2014

Depression is probably the most evil thing to come with chronic pain, but for many of us depression is something we were fighting long before the chronic pain took hold. I mostly dealt with anxiety prior to chronic illness. Depression showed up occasionally, but it wasn't the type of thing that … [Read more...]

7 Comments Filed Under: Coping, Fibromyalgia Tagged With: anxiety, depression, mental health

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About Julie

Spoonie. Fibro Warrior. E-health advocate.

Julie Ryan was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2010 and endometriosis in 2012. She's lived with chronic migraine most of her life. In 2019 she was diagnosed with inter-cranial hypertension.

Julie has a degree in Psychology, and works as a freelance writer and marketer. Freelance work allows her to work when she can and not be tied to a desk or a schedule. Julie believes in living an inspired life despite chronic illness.

"I have chronic illness, it doesn't have me."

More about Julie

Blog title inspired by The Spoon Theory, by Christine Miserandino, an excellent explanation of what it's like to live with invisible illness. Read More…

Disclaimer:

I am not a doctor. I do not claim to be a doctor. I do not play a doctor on TV or the internet. I simply share my experiences and what has worked for me. We are all different and before you try any new treatment, exercise, supplement, etc you should talk with your doctor (the real one, not the one on TV).

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