Invisible pain, visible change: the impact of multidisciplinary treatment on women with fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a hidden chronic condition characterised by persistent pain and fatigue, disproportionately affecting women. Because its symptoms are invisible and unpredictable, those living with it frequently encounter scepticism from others, as well as self-doubt. This study examines the experience of women with fibromyalgia participating in a structured multidisciplinary intervention, tracing their journey from non-acceptance toward coping and adjustment across personal and family domains.

Sixteen Israeli women diagnosed with fibromyalgia participated in a 30-week multidisciplinary fibro-therapy intervention. Following the program, in-depth interviews were conducted with each participant. Data were analysed qualitatively using Grounded Theory methodology to identify emerging themes related to illness perception, acceptance, and adaptive coping.

Participants described a meaningful shift in how they related to their diagnosis. After completing the intervention, women reported accepting fibromyalgia as an integrated part of their lives and reframing their understanding of the illness and its consequences. Key themes included movement from denial and isolation toward self-compassion, redefined identity, and more proactive coping strategies within both personal and family contexts.

Because fibromyalgia presents no outward signs and follows an unpredictable course, women with the condition are particularly vulnerable to social scepticism and self-doubt. Participation in a comprehensive, multidisciplinary therapeutic intervention can facilitate disease acceptance and cultivate a more proactive and compassionate approach to living with fibromyalgia. These findings underscore the value of structured, long-term psychosocial support for this population.