Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...

Stress and Mental Health

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...

Depression: Overview

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...

Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs

Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), including Desipramine (Norpramin), Imipramine (Tofranil), Clomipramine (Anafranil), and Amitriptyline (Elavil), inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and also block other receptors. They are used for depression, pain conditions, and insomnia. Common adverse effects include anticholinergic effects, sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and weight gain. They have a narrow therapeutic window and so require plasma-level monitoring. Abrupt discontinuation can...

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques III

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques III

Regular exercise and meditation serve as essential tools in managing stress and promoting physical and mental well-being.
The Role of Exercise in Stress Management
Regular physical activity is essential for reducing stress and promoting cardiovascular health. Exercise strengthens the heart, enhances blood flow, keeps blood vessels flexible, and helps lower blood pressure, all of which reduce the body's stress response. Research shows that adults who exercise regularly have nearly half the risk...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Attachment insecurity modulates neural responses to psychological distress in OCD and healthy individuals.

Journal of affective disorders·2025

Same author

Identifying subgroups of individuals based on their epistemic stance, attachment dimensions and childhood trauma: A latent profile analysis.

Journal of psychiatric research·2025

Same author

Mitral prolapsing volume is associated with increased cardiac dimensions in patients with mitral annular disjunction.

Netherlands heart journal : monthly journal of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology and the Netherlands Heart Foundation·2021

Same author

The link between parental psychological control, depressive symptoms and epigenetic changes in the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1).

Physiology & behavior·2020

Same author

Attachment in OCD: A meta-analysis.

Journal of anxiety disorders·2020

Same author

Is psychotherapy effective? A re-analysis of treatments for depression.

Epidemiology and psychiatric sciences·2018

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Fibromyalgia Pain and Physical Function, Using Brain Imaging Biomarkers

A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Fibromyalgia Pain and Physical Function, Using Brain Imaging Biomarkers

Published on: January 5, 2024

Stress, depression and fibromyalgia.

B Van Houdenhove¹, P Luyten

¹'Dept of Liaison Psychiatry, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. boudewijn.vanhoudenhove@uz.kuleuven.ac.be

Acta Neurologica Belgica

|February 28, 2007

Summary

Stress and depression are increasingly linked to fibromyalgia (FM) development and symptoms. Chronic stress may disrupt key bodily systems, impacting pain regulation in patients with fibromyalgia.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychiatry
Rheumatology

Background:

Growing evidence suggests a significant role for stress and depression in fibromyalgia (FM) etiology and pathophysiology.
Life stress, including childhood trauma, is being investigated for its potential contribution to FM.
Understanding the interplay between stress, depression, and pain is crucial for FM research.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent studies on the role of life stress in fibromyalgia.
To examine the clinical and aetio-pathogenetic links between stress, depression, and pain.
To propose a hypothesis on how chronic stress/depression impacts neuro-endocrine, immune, and central pain mechanisms in FM.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent studies on stress, depression, and fibromyalgia.

More Related Videos

A Chronic Immobilization Stress Protocol for Inducing Depression-Like Behavior in Mice

A Chronic Immobilization Stress Protocol for Inducing Depression-Like Behavior in Mice

Published on: May 15, 2019

Network Pharmacology and Validation of the Antidepressant Mechanisms of Qiangzhifang in a Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Depression Rat Model

Network Pharmacology and Validation of the Antidepressant Mechanisms of Qiangzhifang in a Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Depression Rat Model

Published on: June 6, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 16, 2026

A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Fibromyalgia Pain and Physical Function, Using Brain Imaging Biomarkers

A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Fibromyalgia Pain and Physical Function, Using Brain Imaging Biomarkers

Published on: January 5, 2024

A Chronic Immobilization Stress Protocol for Inducing Depression-Like Behavior in Mice

A Chronic Immobilization Stress Protocol for Inducing Depression-Like Behavior in Mice

Published on: May 15, 2019

Network Pharmacology and Validation of the Antidepressant Mechanisms of Qiangzhifang in a Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Depression Rat Model

Network Pharmacology and Validation of the Antidepressant Mechanisms of Qiangzhifang in a Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Depression Rat Model

Published on: June 6, 2025

Analysis of clinical and aetio-pathogenetic connections.

Formulation of a hypothesis regarding the underlying mechanisms.

Main Results:

Evidence indicates life stress, including childhood trauma, is associated with fibromyalgia.
Clinical and aetio-pathogenetic links between stress, depression, and pain are evident.
Hypothesized dysregulation of neuro-endocrine, immune, and central pain pathways by chronic stress/depression.

Conclusions:

Stress and depression are critical factors in fibromyalgia's development and progression.
Chronic stress/depression may lead to neuro-immune-endocrine dysregulation, contributing to FM pain.
Future research should explore new models and strategies, informed by affective disorder research, for FM treatment.