Illness Perception and Alexithymia in Women with Fibromyalgia and Its Relationship to Psychological Distress

Background: People with Fibromyalgia had difficulty in identifying, reflecting and regulating their emotions. Alexithymia and negative illness perception could make difficult for them to communicate verbally so they may develop psychological distress as depression and anxiety. Aim of the study: To determine the relationship between illness perception, alexithymia and psychological distress in women with Fibromyalgia. Study design: A descriptive-correlated design was utilized in this study. Study setting : The study was conducted at rheumatology outpatient clinic at Benha University Hospital in Benha City, Qalyubia Governorate. Subjects: Convenience sample of 80 women with Fibromyalgia from the previous study setting. Tools for data collection: Tool (1) Structured Interview Questionnaire to collect demographic and clinical data of the studied sample, Tool (2) Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Tool (3) Illness Perception Questionnaire, and Tool (4) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: Two thirds of the studied women with fibromyalgia had alexithymia, more than half had negative level of illness perception, less than half had moderate level of anxiety and depression. Also, a statistically significant positive correlation between total alexithymia and total psychological distress, and a statistically significant negative correlation between total illness perception, total alexithymia and total psychological distress. Conclusion: The study concluded that, alexithymia had strong positive associations with anxiety and depression. Also, there is a significant negative predictor of illness perception with anxiety and depression among the studied women. In other words, increasing alexithymia and negative illness perception among women with fibromyalgia associated with more severe depression and anxiety symptoms. Recommendation : The study recommended psycho-educational intervention programs for such group of women to reduce the consequences of fibromyalgia.