This article compares the contemporary pathology known as fibromyalgia with the disorder of hysteria as it was described by Sigmund Freud in the 19th century. It explores these two pathologies in their descriptions, symptoms, facts and treatment. Clinical cases are also presented in order to identify possible similarities. Fibromyalgia is described here in terms of contemporary medical discourse, whereas hysteria is viewed from Freud’s work. Finally, the hypothesis is defended to the effect that persons with diagnosis of fibromyalgia in fact show symptoms of hysteria.
Fibromyalgia; hysteria; psychoanalysis