Some people may blame themselves for “getting” fibromyalgia. You may dwell on the things you could have done differently that could have prevented fibromyalgia. For some people — especially if your self-esteem is already fragile — having fibromyalgia may be an indication of personal failure or fault. Many FMS patients often feel guilty about things they think they should accomplish that they no longer can, especially when it comes to parenting responsibilities.

Guilt can become a major obstacle if you wallow in it. It can get in the way of taking care of yourself, especially if you think you're impinging on others by asking for their support or that you don't think you deserve proper treatment. When you're sick with a chronic condition, there's no room for destructive emotions like guilt. Acknowledge these bad feelings, but then move on. Remember: You do deserve the extra care and attention, and you did absolutely nothing to deserve your illness.