Emotional Impact of a Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis

For both caregiver and patient alike, the emotional impact of a multiple sclerosis diagnosis may be the most challenging aspect of the disease. A cascade of feelings can come and go, depending on whether or not your loved one is having symptoms, how much the disease has progressed, and the up and down nature of day-to-day life apart from multiple sclerosis. Over time, chances are your loved one may experience a wide range of negative emotions that can feel overwhelming: anger at the disease; anxiety about the future; guilt when others help; sadness and grief at the loss of certain abilities. All of these emotions are perfectly normal, but none of them is pleasant. The good news is that help is available. Before we discuss ways to get help, let's look at some of the most common emotional challenges for people with multiple sclerosis.

Depression and Multiple Sclerosis
Clinical depression is more common in people with multiple sclerosis than in the general population. Researchers are not sure if this higher rate of depression is due primarily to an emotional response to having the disease or is related to the physiology of the disease. Either way, depression should be taken very seriously. If your loved one is feeling depressed, you should help him or her seek treatment as soon as possible.

Is your loved one depressed?
Clinical depression is more than a passing sadness or a day or two of feeling down. The American Psychiatric Association has outlined the hallmarks of depression, which are listed below. If your loved one experiences at least five of these symptoms on a daily basis for at least two weeks, he or she should talk to a healthcare provider or a counselor.

• Feeling sad or empty or being irritable or tearful for most of the day
• Loss of interest and pleasure in most activities
• Significant weight loss or gain or a decrease or increase in appetite
• Sleeping too much or an inability to sleep
• Physical restlessness or slowed movement
• Feeling personally worthless or having inappropriate feelings of guilt
• Inability to concentrate or make decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or planning suicide

While fatigue or excessive tiredness is also a symptom of depression, many people with multiple sclerosis experience fatigue that is unrelated to depression.

Anxiety and Stress
The unpredictability of multiple sclerosis can lead to excessive worry, fear and anxiety that can be debilitating. People with multiple sclerosis may find themselves worrying constantly about when the next flare-up will come, even when they're feeling good, or they may spend a lot of time contemplating future disability that may never happen. The length of time it can take to get a multiple sclerosis diagnosis is often itself a source of anxiety and fear.

A certain amount of worry is understandable when someone has a chronic condition that is unpredictable. However, when fear, worry and stress become so great they interfere with activities, sleep or relationships with others, it's time to get help.

Help is available
If your loved one is experiencing depression, anxiety, stress or other emotional difficulties, encourage him or her to speak with you and their healthcare provider as soon as possible. Thier healthcare provider will be able to refer your loved one to a counselor, social worker or therapist who can help find the appropriate way to address the problem. Several different approaches to addressing the emotional challenges of multiple sclerosis are described below. Encourage your loved one to try several, until he or she finds the one that works best.

• Talk Therapy
  A trained, skilled counselor can provide guidance and support. Some counselors have experience working with people with multiple sclerosis and other chronic diseases.
• Medication
  Antidepressants and other medications can be very helpful in providing the emotional relief needed to address life's challenges. They can also help your loved one feel better and enjoy life more.
• Coping Skills Therapy
  Some counselors and social workers teach effective coping skills that can be enormously helpful in moving forward with multiple sclerosis. These skills can help your loved take positive action when feeling depressed or stressed and give a greater sense of control over life.
• Other Approaches
  Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can also go a long way toward helping your loved feel better emotionally. Doing yoga, practicing relaxation techniques and spending time together doing things you enjoy can also relieve emotional distress - for both of you!

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