5 Things NOT To Say To Someone With Fibromyalgia

Living with fibromyalgia is extremely hard as millions of sufferers worldwide can attest. The fact that the physical and emotional pain isn’t visible to others can often make it even harder. Fibromyalgia is known as an “invisible illness” because its painful, and often debilitating, side effects are often not apparent to others.

Someone with fibromyalgia can look totally fine on the outside but be suffering from excruciating pain on the inside. Understanding this fact is important for those seeking to be supportive of a friend or family member of someone with fibromyalgia.

While it’s often difficult to find the words to provide support and hope for those suffering from fibromyalgia, here is a list of 5 things that you definitely don’t want to say to someone with fibromyalgia. Believe us, you are better saying nothing at all than one of these 5 things.

#1 “You Don’t Look Sick”

This comment demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of invisible illnesses. Not every serious illness comes with obvious, outwardly apparent symptoms such as being in a wheelchair. Fibromyalgia sufferers have often learned coping mechanisms and may use their limited energy each day to try and appear more normal to others. But the pain is still there. And even hinting to someone with fibromyalgia that they are faking it will likely put your relationship with them at risk.