Empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives

Momentum magazine reviews mental health challenges people with MS may face and resources that can help.

Focus on the Positive

The field of positive psychology emphasizes personal growth and well-being. It’s based on the core belief that all people want and look for happiness in their lives. Happiness involves focusing on your own unique goals and criteria for well-being. It allows us to thrive, solve problems and maintain a sense of hope.

Stay Centered

The diagnosis of a chronic illness can be overwhelming. You may experience many emotions. Staying connected to your feelings, priorities and values can help calm emotional turmoil. You may find personal meaning through spiritual practices or religious beliefs. For a secular option, access recordings of guided relaxation sessions in My MSToolkit from the University of Michigan.

Managing Stress With Multiple Sclerosis

Stress is part of everyday life. MS can sometimes make the stress of daily life feel overwhelming. People with MS say during stressful times, they experience more or worse symptoms. When the stress decreases, their symptoms seem less troubling or less severe.Learning to remove unnecessary stressors and manage other stressors is essential for emotional balance.

Practice Solution-Focused Problem-Solving

Life’s challenges and problems can mount quickly and sometimes feel too big to handle. But you can view challenges as opportunities for creative problem-solving. This mindset can increase coping strategies and lead to enhanced resilience. With each success, feelings of competence, pride and self-confidence grow stronger, contributing to your emotional well-being.

Be Aware of Your Mood

MS can cause mood changes. Not only is MS challenging to live with, but it also affects parts of the brain that control mood. In this way, mood changes in MS are both a symptom of and/or a reaction to the disease.The most common mood changes in MS include:

Grief
Worry
Fear
Moodiness
Irritability
Anxiety
Depression
Loss of identity
Fear of abandonment
Fear of being burdensome to others
Feeling misunderstood, unseen or uncared for by the healthcare system due to systemic challenges presented to people with disabilities

It’s important to recognize and address mood changes. They can affect your cognitive function and relationships. Treatments for these changes include counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), exercise and medication. The willingness to treat mood changes is not a sign of weakness, but of strength. If mood changes are interfering with your ability to function well, talk to your doctor. You can get help managing mood changes with MS.

Stay Centered

Managing Stress With Multiple Sclerosis

Practice Solution-Focused Problem-Solving

Be Aware of Your Mood

Grief
Worry
Fear
Moodiness
Irritability
Anxiety
Depression
Loss of identity
Fear of abandonment
Fear of being burdensome to others
Feeling misunderstood, unseen or uncared for by the healthcare system due to systemic challenges presented to people with disabilities

Find Doctors and Resources Tool

The Find Doctors and Resources Tool can help you locate a mental healthcare provider near you.

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Emotional Well-Being and Multiple Sclerosis

Focus on the Positive

Find Doctors and Resources Tool

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