I'm a giver. It feels good to help. I have cut down on the physical helping like moving since Fibro. I still help others with a place to live, food, paying bills and some fixing or cleaning. I'm quite handy. I can do a little of everything and I'm not afraid to do it. Makes me feel useful.

Great post BlueSun! I've often thought of this theory too, but more that the fact that we are "givers" & "doers" for everyone else EXCEPT ourselves...the statement that several have made about us women being "wired that way" makes a lot of sense also. In more detail....I think maybe we were BORN with this "neurological make-up!"

If I look back in my life (even early childhood), I can start seeing the "markers" of Fibromyalgia (& possibly another "autoimmune disease"?). I've ALWAYS been an obsessive "worrier, perfectionist, high-strung/hyper, ambitious, overachieving WORKAHOLIC!!!" So, I KNOW that "stress" (in general) has played a major role in my regressive state of health!

I'm certainly NOT saying that a particular event/illness can NOT cause Fibro (as I believe this can happen as well)...I'm simply saying that I believe the MAJORITY of us are simply "hard-wired" this way....trying to do MORE than our bodies/minds will allow! I've now been FORCED to LEARN how to take time out for ME, pamper myself, SLOW DOWN, & try & ENJOY life. It's just that now....I'm in SOOOOOOO MUCH PAIN, tired, worn-out, & disabled...that's I'm struggling with the "enjoying" part!! LOL! Isn't Life just a hoot?! ;)
~tj

I do nothing but give all day, from housework for others to running all over creation to find them what they want. We're definately givers.

I agree. I think we tend to give to others, even to the detriment of ourselves. I was definitely a people pleaser, the "go to" person when there is a problem. I've let go on the people pleasing part, but still am the "go to" person. I also have trouble with receiving, but I'm learning to get over it. It's really interesting to see how all of this is connected to our health.

I use to be a giver until I got fibro....then I just couldn't give anymore. it makes me feel bad. although now I am a receiver and it feels weird, I'd rather be a giver.

fibro has taught me to be able to say no, beacuz I would always say yes to everyone (wanted to make everyone happy). found out that people still like me even if I do have to say no! lol

good post!! hugzzz

hardwiring gone haywire...

Most sufferers are women and we tend to be nurturers, so therefore we give. Many of us also are hardworking at taking care of others, we have careers and we have many extracurricular activities. Sometimes as a result of of wearing so many hats, we get worn down and don't take as good of care of ourselves as we should.

I know personally that stress is a big factor in my condition.

I am a Giver...I Love to help others...in a selfish sort of way it makes me "Feel Good" to know others have all they need to be Comfortable...

yet a few Years ago, I Noticed an "Emptying Sensation" within me...and I started to Realize that if we just give, if we do Not receive, we do in fact slowly empty out...and can be left an Empty Bitter Shell of a Person...

Balance...in order to Best Take Care of You...I have to Take Care of Self, or at the very least allow someone to help me...to Give to Me...it was Then that I started to become what Felt Like "Spiritual Health"...I do Not want more them I am Entitled to..I am Not a Greedy Woman...I am in Fact more of a Minimalist....

Give to Self, so that You Stay Full & Healthy & Able to Give to others thru out Your Life...

"hardwiring gone haywire"..... LMAO!!

Bonnie did such a good job of expressing my thoughts that all I'm going to say is "ditto" on Reply #23!