Determinants of representational and behavioral hyperactivity in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome

Abstract

Fibromyalgia is associated with a premorbid hyperactivity. This study examines how contextual and personality factors contribute to premorbid hyperactivity. A total of 45 patients completed questionnaires. The results show that the number of children and the basic bodily needs neglect (and their interaction) explain nearly 50 percent of the variance of hyperactivity. The neglect toward bodily needs completely mediates the relation between self-oriented perfectionism and hyperactivity. This study suggests that hyperactivity itself would not have a pathological value, but that the neglect of basic bodily needs would represent a vulnerability factor in a hyperactive premorbid lifestyle in fibromyalgia patients.