Exhausted all the time? More aches and pains than you might expect? There may well be a BFRB connection
Introduction
By examining the link between BFRBs, fatigue, and fibromyalgia, we provide straightforward, practical tips to manage energy levels. We delve into body-focused repetitive behaviours like trichotillomania, the resulting tiredness, and their associations with autoimmune deficiencies.
Understanding BFRBs and Their Impact
Body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs), such as hair-pulling (trichotillomania), skin-picking (dermatillomania), and nail-biting (onychophagia), often coexist with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia. This comorbidity can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. BFRBs are compulsive actions driven by anxiety or stress, leading to physical damage and emotional distress. Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, on the other hand, are characterized by persistent exhaustion and widespread pain, respectively.
The Vicious Cycle of BFRBs and Chronic Conditions
The interplay between these conditions can create a vicious cycle. The physical pain and exhaustion from CFS and fibromyalgia can heighten stress levels, triggering or exacerbating BFRBs. Conversely, the repetitive behaviours can lead to increased fatigue and pain, further worsening the symptoms of CFS and fibromyalgia. Moreover, the constant struggle to manage these conditions can result in heightened anxiety and depression, compounding the overall burden.
Energy Management Tips
Many people with BFRBs experience high levels of tiredness. Obsessive behaviours, particularly when enacted through the night, can be tiring and effortful. When we most need an energy boost, the very foods we crave, hit us with a subsequent energy crash. Quick-fix carbohydrates ultimately cause fast plummets in energy and lead to more cravings. This constant swinging up and down has been blamed for a number of conditions. The only way to feel better is to get off the roller coaster.
People who eat a wide variety of helpful, healthful foods and drink plenty of water, can often produce greater energy levels! D-ribose is also very helpful for restoring energy in place of caffeine, which can increase urges to pull or pick.
Key to higher energy are high quality proteins and unsaturated fats. If you crave carbohydrates, you can have them, just in the form of fresh fruit and vegetables. If you feel below par, the quickest way to recovery is to cut out any form of carbohydrate which doesn’t come from a plant source, or which has been altered by man and to become a different form of food, such as sugar and flour. Replace meat with fish, eggs, seeds and tofu for a week and double your protein doses, as well as making sure you go to bed at the same time each day in a dark room and get up at the same time each morning. The simplest things bring the best results.
Emotional Malaise and Autoimmune Conditions
There is a strong co-morbidity rate between emotional malaise, depression and anxiety and auto immune conditions such as fibromyalgia, and treatment of BFRBs with vitamins and nutrition should be explored more conclusively. The BFRB coaching at coaching.care has a very strong holistic element and approaches the problem from a practical and nutritional standpoint.
Effective Treatment Approaches
Understanding this comorbidity is crucial for effective treatment. A multidisciplinary approach, combining cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), stress management techniques, and possibly medication, can help manage the symptoms of both BFRBs and chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia. By addressing the underlying stress and anxiety that fuel these behaviours and conditions, individuals can find relief and improve their overall well-being.
The Role of Hypnotherapy and Relaxation
Hypnotherapy and relaxation recordings offer a soothing escape for the mind and body, guiding you into a state of deep tranquility. As you immerse yourself in these calming sessions, your muscles unwind, and your mind quiets, paving the way for restorative rest. This profound relaxation not only eases physical tension but also combats the fatigue that often plagues our busy lives, leaving you refreshed and revitalized.