It is always good to hear when a patient with the organic rheumatological disorder of fibromyalgia finds some relief. Relief while waiting for a cure isn't silly at all.

A cure for fibromyalgia appears a long way off, but medical researchers have made substantial inroads into the physical pain and possible autoimmune connection:which is often the basis for disorders and diseases that affect primarily women (and no, not because women are more emotional).

In the meantime, as Ms. Frolich testifies, changes in attitude and beliefs can work wonders in how well some patients with chronic disease cope or in dealing with the depression caused by severe 24/7/365 physical pain. Other causes of depression in chronic illness includes the financial disaster of permanent disability or even social stigma. Thankfully, science and medicine are always expanding and progressing, but spirit is rather eternal in comparison and should always be nurtured.

The key is balance, Both patients and doctors need to remember that absence of physical proof of biological disease isn't proof of absence. Nor does a bad attitude perpetuate biological illness.

Unfortunately misdiagnosing medically unexplained physical symptoms as psychological isn't always helpful to patients as anyone with diabetes, ulcers, asthma or multiple sclerosis can tell you.

Psychiatrists in the 40s speculated that shaking in men with Parkinson's disease was due to sexual tensions. Can you imagine using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to rid patients with a severe neurological disorder of a bad attitude?

Often linked to fibromyalgia, and the neuroimmune disorder CFS, Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) is another example. In 2004 the US Government recognized it as a severe neurological disease caused by a chemical triggers., It is just the most recent example of psychological theories gone wrong. It will be a great day when patient needs are more important than career advancement for health professionals.