Mental Health and MS
How has your MS impacted your mental health?
Do you ever experience anxiety, depression, or catastrophizing?
What has helped you cope with it all?
I was just thinking about this today. I have a psychologist as part of my MS team. I see her once a month or more if needed. It’s nice to have someone to talk to about the sleeplessness, insomnia, depression, an anxiety that comes from MS and trying to get others to understand our symptoms. Last year, I went to the ER after I had a horrible MS hug for 6 days and couldn’t slept for 5 days. I was put in a 72 hr hold at a mental health clinic. It helped to already have a psychologist I was working with and my husband picked me up early. It was scary that I wasn’t understood at the ER. I think this may happen too.
I've discovered I just have to be patient. Not exactly my strength, but I can't do things as quickly as I used to. At 52, I was recently diagnosed (8 months ago). I've had good medical help and critical help from my wife and son.
, boy, I hear you! I am NOT a patient person, so you have my admiration for doing your best to become more patient. I love that you have a good medical team and great support in your wife and son. Support can really make a big difference!
Thank you for sharing!
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.
It made my already present mental health problems worse.
, I'm sorry. MS definitely doesn't fight fair, does it? Are you able to meet regularly with a therapist or counselor? I know having a professional to talk to on a regular basis can at least help us process our thoughts and feelings and just vent when we need to. And you're always welcome to come here when you need to vent!
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.
I have what I call emotional incontinence... difficult to control tears when they start. Ruminating on problems etc
, you're definitely not alone in this! I don't know if you know (I don't want to assume anything), but there is a term for this symptom -- the pseudobulbar affect (PBA) and it's just as you described. It can include random mood swings and exhibiting 'wrong' emotions at the wrong time (ie; laughing at a funeral or when angry, etc). I hate to call any emotion 'wrong', in this context, but a better word choice is escaping me at the moment. Anyway, this piece by Devin (one of our contributors) on this very topic -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/invisible-symptoms-mood-swings. Thanks for sharing here!
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.