Depression and Multiple Sclerosis
Is It Grief or Something More?
Overview of Depression and MS
- Depression can occur in any person with MS and at any point in the course of the disease.
- People with MS who have more physical disability are not necessarily more likely to be depressed.
- Depression does not indicate weakness of character and should not be considered something shameful that needs to be hidden.
- A person cannot control or prevent depression with willpower or determination.
- Reaction to difficult life situations or stresses: It is easy to understand how a diagnosis of MS can bring on depression.
- Major transition points: Following diagnosis, during an exacerbation or when a major change in function or abilities occurs.
- The MS disease process itself: When MS damages areas of the brain that are involved in emotional expression and control, a variety of behavioral changes can result.
- MS-related changes that occur in the immune and/or neuroendocrine systems: There is some evidence that changes in mood are accompanied by changes in the immune system.
- Side effects of some medications: corticosteroids and possibly interferon medications may trigger or worsen depression in susceptible individuals.
Depression is a term commonly applied to a wide variety of emotional states ranging from feeling down for a few hours to clinical depression, which may last for several months.Depression is one of the most common symptoms of MS. In fact, studies have suggested that clinical depression — the most severe form — is more frequent among people with MS than it is in the general population or in many other chronic illnesses. It is equally common in other immune-mediated, neuroinflammatory diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease). This suggests that inflammation is a contributing factor to depression in these conditions.When depression occurs, it deserves the same careful assessment and treatment as any other symptom of MS. If you experience depression, talk to your healthcare provider. If left untreated, depression reduces quality of life and makes other symptoms — including fatigue, pain and cognitive changes — feel worse. It may also be life-threatening. When it comes to depression, remember:
- Depression can occur in any person with MS and at any point in the course of the disease.
- People with MS who have more physical disability are not necessarily more likely to be depressed.
- Depression does not indicate weakness of character and should not be considered something shameful that needs to be hidden.
- A person cannot control or prevent depression with willpower or determination.
- Reaction to difficult life situations or stresses: It is easy to understand how a diagnosis of MS can bring on depression.
- Major transition points: Following diagnosis, during an exacerbation or when a major change in function or abilities occurs.
- The MS disease process itself: When MS damages areas of the brain that are involved in emotional expression and control, a variety of behavioral changes can result.
- MS-related changes that occur in the immune and/or neuroendocrine systems: There is some evidence that changes in mood are accompanied by changes in the immune system.
- Side effects of some medications: corticosteroids and possibly interferon medications may trigger or worsen depression in susceptible individuals.
