Page 22 - JCBP-3-3

Journal of Clinical and

Basic Psychosomatics

REVIEW ARTICLE
Coping with fibromyalgia: What we have learned

from hypnosis

Giuseppe De Benedittis *
1,2
1 Interdepartmental Pain Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplants, University of
Milan, Italy
2 Italian Society of Hypnosis (ISH), Rome, Italy

Abstract

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex, chronic pain disorder characterized by
widespread musculoskeletal pain, often attributed to central sensitization. FMS also
involves other problems such as tiredness, poor sleep, mental/emotional difficulties,
and a lower quality of life (QoL). The exact causes of FMS are still unclear, but there
is growing evidence that some FMS patients have a history of emotional, physical,
and sexual abuse or neglect in childhood or adulthood. Abuse may act as a link
between trauma and chronic pain over time, suggesting that FMS may be a physical
expression of delayed trauma-related stress. FMS patients are hard to treat because
most treatments do not work well for them. However, psychological treatments,
*Corresponding author:
Giuseppe De Benedittis especially hypnotherapy, have been shown to help change how fibromyalgia pain
(giuseppe.debenedittis@unimi.it) is perceived. There is increasing evidence that hypnotherapy alone or with standard
Citation: De Benedittis G. Coping medical treatment can help FMS patients in the long term, but not in the short term.
with fibromyalgia: What we have Hypnosis can target specific symptoms such as pain, tiredness, sleep issues, anxiety,
learned from hypnosis. J Clin Basic and depression, or it can focus on resolving emotional conflicts and traumas related
Psychosom. 2025;3(3):16-24.
doi: 10.36922/jcbp.4796 to FMS. Regular practice at home, including self-hypnosis, and occasional follow-up
sessions may help maintain the benefits of hypnotherapy. Hypnosis is a valuable
Received: September 9, 2024
adjunct therapy with an excellent safety profile for managing chronic pain and other
1st revised: November 1, 2024 symptoms in difficult fibromyalgia patients.
2nd revised: November 18, 2024
3rd revised: December 3, 2024 Keywords: Fibromyalgia; Abuse; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Hypnotherapy
4th revised: December 19, 2024
Accepted: January 10, 2025
Published online: February 6, 1. Introduction
2025
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s). musculoskeletal pain and tenderness. This condition can be debilitating, affecting at
This is an Open-Access article least four body regions for a duration of at least 3 months. Patients with FMS may
1-3
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution also experience a range of associated symptoms, including fatigue, sleep disturbances,
License, permitting distribution, anxiety and depression, cognitive impairment, and other comorbidities such as irritable
and reproduction in any medium, bowel syndrome (IBS) and morning stiffness. These symptoms can have a substantial
provided the original work is
properly cited. negative impact on QoL. 1,2,4,5
Publisher’s Note: AccScience About 2 – 5% of people have FMS. It becomes more common with age. However,
Publishing remains neutral with FMS can affect children and teenagers. It is more often diagnosed in women with a ratio
regard to jurisdictional claims in 6-8
published maps and institutional of 8 – 10:1. FMS has a significant impact on the economy, society, and personal well-
affiliations. being. 4

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 16 doi: 10.36922/jcbp.4796