Multiple sclerosis affects more than just your physical abilities. It can also take a toll on your emotional health. In fact, research shows that half of all people living with multiple sclerosis struggle with clinical depression at some point during the course of their disease. It may be triggered by stress or grief, or it may actually be a result of brain atrophy caused by the MS itself.
The good news is that people who have multiple sclerosis and depression can reduce their depressive symptoms over time if they adopt an active coping style. And learning how to cope with depression can make living with MS significantly easier.
Dealing with Depression: Adopt a Proactive Approach
"Active coping" initiated by the caregiver can be helpful for someone living with MS in a variety of ways — it means taking steps to change sources of stress or thinking about stressors in a new way.
This includes taking such actions as seeking out support, developing a plan of action to handle problems, or picking up the phone to call a nurse with your questions instead of spending your time worrying about them.
It is also important to keep in mind that occasional feelings of sadness are normal for both people living with MS and their families, says Dorothy Northrop, MSW, vice president of research and clinical operations for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
"The losses you face are going to make you sad, but I think when people begin to cross a line where these feeling are impeding their functioning, if it starts to go into some of the signs of clinical depression, hopefully caregivers or someone around them will know that intervention is needed," Northrop says. People who are depressed can find help through counseling and from antidepressants, she says. Psychotherapy, or "talk therapy," is another option that can be very beneficial for people living with MS and suffering from depression.
Dealing with Depression: Concentrate on the Positive and Reach Out
Jonathon and Mimi Mosher have been living with MS since Mimi was diagnosed 25 years ago, one year before they married. They have both developed coping styles that help fight off sadness and depression. "I think there are times when we feel cheated.
I see other couples just jumping in a car and going to the mountains or the beach … the limitations the disease places on you can be overwhelming if you start thinking about them all at once," says Jonathon, who tries to make time every day for things he likes to do.
He recommends that couples make a list of things they need and want to do each day or week — and then
make sure that they do the items on the list. In his case, simply taking a nap or going for an outdoor hike can help stave off black moods, he says.
Mimi Mosher has a take-charge attitude that keeps her positive. Talking to friends and family or being able to get something accomplished that is rewarding to her personally can improve her mood, she says.
She also finds it helpful to take care of others when she's able. "Generally it has helped me to not focus too much on myself — to help somebody else really gets me out of my situation," she says. "Listening to somebody else's problems or to lend somebody else a hand, that kind of gets me out of my own head."
Signs of Depression in People Living With MS
People with multiple sclerosis who are feeling depressed might say they're feeling "sad," "glum," "low," "worthless," "unwanted," or "like a failure." These are psychological signs of a depressive mood and are not unusual in people living with MS.
Sometimes symptoms of depression are physical. People might experience exhaustion, difficulty staying asleep, and changes in appetite.
At the extreme, depressed people living with MS might think about or even plan suicide. Some medications given to treat multiple sclerosis can make these feelings worse. Studies have indicated that the interferon class of drugs can increase depressed feelings and suicidal thoughts among some people with multiple sclerosis.
More Information for Depressed People Living With MS
Take advantage of online resources to find more on depression, treatments for it, and other people who are also battling depression. The Depression Center at EverydayHealth.com offers tips, information, and support.
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