What We Know About Multiple Sclerosis and Stress MS symptoms . Scientists have been unable to prove this so far, but reducing stress might be particularly beneficial for you. During stressful times, we need more energy to think, solve problems and address the demands of daily life. Any difficulty, including MS symptoms, may become more challenging. Stress may also add to a feeling of crushing — already one of the most difficult symptoms of MS. The information on this page can help you better manage stress in order to live your best life with MS. Common MS Stressors Having any chronic illness increases stress and MS is no exception. The disease creates a range of stressful experiences, including: Diagnostic uncertainty (before the definitive MS diagnosis ) Loss of control (for example, unpredictable symptoms that come and go) Invisibility of some MS symptoms (which may make you to feel misunderstood) Visibility of some symptoms, particularly emerging ones (to which others may react before you have had time to adjust) Need to adjust and readjust to changing abilities Financial stress and concerns about employment Presence — or possibility — of cognitive impairment Need to make decisions about disease-modifying therapies and adjusting to the treatment if it is chosen Emotional, Mental and Physical Signs of Stress We are all familiar with the most common physical signs of stress: headaches, stomachaches, clammy handsand sweatiness. Diagnosing an unhealthy level of stress can be more complicated for people with MS. After all, some of the common signs of stress — fatigue and muscle tightness, for example — may also be symptoms of the disease. Stress shows up in many different ways. In addition to these common physical symptoms, you might also experience emotional signs and changes in your thought patterns. Use the lists below to better understand your stress responses and learn to separate them from your MS symptoms. " c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">If you live with multiple sclerosis, you may worry that stress impacts your health and the course of your disease. In fact, many people who live with MS believe that stress worsens their MS symptoms . Scientists have been unable to prove this so far, but reducing stress might be particularly beneficial for you. During stressful times, we need more energy to think, solve problems and address the demands of daily life. Any difficulty, including MS symptoms, may become more challenging. Stress may also add to a feeling of crushing — already one of the most difficult symptoms of MS. The information on this page can help you better manage stress in order to live your best life with MS. Common MS Stressors Having any chronic illness increases stress and MS is no exception. The disease creates a range of stressful experiences, including: Diagnostic uncertainty (before the definitive MS diagnosis ) Loss of control (for example, unpredictable symptoms that come and go) Invisibility of some MS symptoms (which may make you to feel misunderstood) Visibility of some symptoms, particularly emerging ones (to which others may react before you have had time to adjust) Need to adjust and readjust to changing abilities Financial stress and concerns about employment Presence — or possibility — of cognitive impairment Need to make decisions about disease-modifying therapies and adjusting to the treatment if it is chosen Emotional, Mental and Physical Signs of Stress We are all familiar with the most common physical signs of stress: headaches, stomachaches, clammy handsand sweatiness. Diagnosing an unhealthy level of stress can be more complicated for people with MS. After all, some of the common signs of stress — fatigue and muscle tightness, for example — may also be symptoms of the disease. Stress shows up in many different ways. In addition to these common physical symptoms, you might also experience emotional signs and changes in your thought patterns. Use the lists below to better understand your stress responses and learn to separate them from your MS symptoms. MS symptoms . Scientists have been unable to prove this so far, but reducing stress might be particularly beneficial for you. During stressful times, we need more energy to think, solve problems and address the demands of daily life. Any difficulty, including MS symptoms, may become more challenging. Stress may also add to a feeling of crushing — already one of the most difficult symptoms of MS. The information on this page can help you better manage stress in order to live your best life with MS. Common MS Stressors Having any chronic illness increases stress and MS is no exception. The disease creates a range of stressful experiences, including: Diagnostic uncertainty (before the definitive MS diagnosis ) Loss of control (for example, unpredictable symptoms that come and go) Invisibility of some MS symptoms (which may make you to feel misunderstood) Visibility of some symptoms, particularly emerging ones (to which others may react before you have had time to adjust) Need to adjust and readjust to changing abilities Financial stress and concerns about employment Presence — or possibility — of cognitive impairment Need to make decisions about disease-modifying therapies and adjusting to the treatment if it is chosen Emotional, Mental and Physical Signs of Stress We are all familiar with the most common physical signs of stress: headaches, stomachaches, clammy handsand sweatiness. Diagnosing an unhealthy level of stress can be more complicated for people with MS. After all, some of the common signs of stress — fatigue and muscle tightness, for example — may also be symptoms of the disease. Stress shows up in many different ways. In addition to these common physical symptoms, you might also experience emotional signs and changes in your thought patterns. Use the lists below to better understand your stress responses and learn to separate them from your MS symptoms. " c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">If you live with multiple sclerosis, you may worry that stress impacts your health and the course of your disease. In fact, many people who live with MS believe that stress worsens their MS symptoms . Scientists have been unable to prove this so far, but reducing stress might be particularly beneficial for you. During stressful times, we need more energy to think, solve problems and address the demands of daily life. Any difficulty, including MS symptoms, may become more challenging. Stress may also add to a feeling of crushing — already one of the most difficult symptoms of MS. The information on this page can help you better manage stress in order to live your best life with MS. Common MS Stressors Having any chronic illness increases stress and MS is no exception. The disease creates a range of stressful experiences, including: Diagnostic uncertainty (before the definitive MS diagnosis ) Loss of control (for example, unpredictable symptoms that come and go) Invisibility of some MS symptoms (which may make you to feel misunderstood) Visibility of some symptoms, particularly emerging ones (to which others may react before you have had time to adjust) Need to adjust and readjust to changing abilities Financial stress and concerns about employment Presence — or possibility — of cognitive impairment Need to make decisions about disease-modifying therapies and adjusting to the treatment if it is chosen Emotional, Mental and Physical Signs of Stress We are all familiar with the most common physical signs of stress: headaches, stomachaches, clammy handsand sweatiness. Diagnosing an unhealthy level of stress can be more complicated for people with MS. After all, some of the common signs of stress — fatigue and muscle tightness, for example — may also be symptoms of the disease. Stress shows up in many different ways. In addition to these common physical symptoms, you might also experience emotional signs and changes in your thought patterns. Use the lists below to better understand your stress responses and learn to separate them from your MS symptoms. 
