Coping with fibromyalgia during the COVID-19 pandemic: adjustment and wellbeing

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic condition with symptoms known to be exacerbated by stress. Individuals with FMS may be experiencing particular distress under Covid-19 pandemic-related lifestyle restrictions. The present study examined wellbeing, perceived symptom change and coping in individuals with and without FMS during pandemic-related social lockdown in the UK.

Participants with a diagnosis of FMS (N = 390) and a general public sample with no FMS (N = 151) completed questionnaires at three time points.

BBC Wellbeing Scale, Cognitive-Emotional Regulation Questionnaire measure of coping, perception of extent to which symptoms have worsened or improved over time.

Contrary to expectations, FMS participants reported no worsening of symptoms and an increase in wellbeing over the study period. Non-FMS participants experienced worsening health symptoms and no change in wellbeing. Coping strategies involving positive reappraisal, refocussing and planning were positively associated with wellbeing in the FMS group.

The unpredictable symptom profile in FMS, and the regular readjustment this necessitates, may support a form of resilience which has been adaptive during the pandemic. The results have implications for supporting people with FMS, and potentially other chronic conditions, especially at times of stress.