For some patients exersize and OTC analgesics work. Others however are more severe thus needing stronger medications. The pain is real so methods such as stretching, yoga, massage, and so forth can help little. Living with chronic pain everyday with no resolve in sight can very much lead to depression and anxiety. Patient's quality of life are robbed. Over time their world becomes smaller and smaller, losing friends and family, often because people are ill equipped to deal with a chronically sick loved one. Depression is a tough one. It can be extremely difficult to treat. Like FM, what works for one person may not work for others. It requires patience, trying out different medications and/or therapists. To find a right therapists that a patient feels 'safe' with can be challenging. Depending on the health insurance a patient has, he/she may not always get the same therapist for each appointment hence leading to a sense of futility. A bond must be built between therapist and patient which requires time. As well, not to be disrespectful, a depressed patient adopts 'faulty thinking', making it hard to communicate with them. (I speak from experience as I've suffered severe depression in the past). When depressed we can be convinced no one understands us, no one listens to us, no one cares, when in fact people may very well care but their hands are tied on how to help. End of day, the depressed are the ones who can decide if treatment will take place, regardless what that treatment option is. Sadly, some choose nothing because of past negative experiences with medication and/or therapists. I completely understand this frustration. It is too bad though as the result is an endless vortex of sadness, futility and at times loneliness which only exacerbates their condition.
So, to help FM sufferers with depression, you need to understand ALL the aspects of what this condition does to people and how it impacts their life. This requires sympathy or empathy. It requires a listening ear. It requires tact.
Do you have FM yourself?