Date Submitted
9-26-2024
Faculty Advisor
Esperanza M. Anaya
Abstract
There is minimal research concerning the mechanisms by which trauma experienced specifically in adolescence later predisposes one to chronic illness and, namely, fibromyalgia. The syndrome of fibromyalgia is in question due to fibromyalgia now being understood as a disease of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and research pointing toward early life trauma being an antecedent. It is known that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) predispose individuals to experience significant health disparities later in life. However, little is known about the long-term impact of trauma exposure occurring specifically in adolescence has on chronic illness. Adolescence is commonly referred to as a sensitive period in human development and is thought to commence a myriad of biopsychosocial trajectories that continue to manifest themselves into later stages of development. This literature review sought to determine if there is a valid link between the experience of trauma in adolescence and an increased predisposition to developing fibromyalgia as an adult. A review of 12 studies produced mixed results in accounts of trauma occurring in childhood and adolescence among fibromyalgia patients. Emotional neglect was found to be the most common type of childhood trauma reported, and physical and sexual abuse were often the least frequent types of early life trauma among fibromyalgia patients. Although fibromyalgia patients consistently evidence higher rates of ACEs and early life trauma when compared to healthy controls, this relationship is frequently mediated by the presence of mental illness. This study elucidated varying trajectories of health disparities early life trauma can take, as well as identified patterns and prevalence of trauma subtypes among fibromyalgia patients. Further, this review underscored the importance and lack of identification and measurement of developmental stage in case-control and cross-sectional studies involving early life trauma among fibromyalgia patients.
