Prolonged or severe stress and Fibromyalgia

"...studies of brain anatomy show structural differences between the brains of fibromyalgia patients and healthy individuals. The cerebral alterations offer a compelling explanation for the multiple symptoms of fibromyalgia, including widespread pain and affective disturbances."




This article by Petra Schweinhardt, Khara M. Sauro and M. Catherine Bushnell comes to the conclusion that despite the many changes seen in the brain imaging, "fibromyalgia might not be a primary disorder of the brain but may be a consequence of early life stress or prolonged or severe stress" This stress is thought to change pain and emotion circuits in the brain of people who are genetically susceptible.
This idea sits well with my own personal experience - 5 children ! How about you does it ring true?