MS Awareness Week 2018
26th April 2018
By Chloe Nunan
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a condition affecting over 100,000 in the UK; it is a neurological condition affecting the nerves that is caused when the immune system is not working properly. With MS there are various different symptoms; most people won’t experience them all and rarely more than a few at any one time. The symptoms can include fatigue, problems with vision or difficulties with walking, but MS is different for everyone – no two cases are the same. With MS awareness week here, we have had a look into the psychological effects and problems that often get forgotten and overlooked when talking about MS.
The combined effect of the stress related with MS and possible medication side-effects, often leads to psychological problems such as depression. Up to half of all people who suffer from Multiple Sclerosis show signs of being depressed at some point during their illness. Lifetime risk of depression is much greater in people with MS (50%) than in the general population (2.3% to 16%) or in those with other chronic diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, 15%). A diagnosis of MS introduces a lot of uncertainty about the future and people often experience feelings of loss and grief at the thought of losing the life they had previously planned.
It has also been found that there is an increased suicide risk in MS sufferers compared to non-MS sufferers. One study evaluated death records in MS, finding that suicide rates were up to 7.5 times greater in MS sufferers than of the general population that do not have MS (Sadovnivk, Eisen, Ebers & Paty, 1991). These findings are supported by other studies that show suicidal thinking and lifetime suicidal intent among individuals with MS were approximately 18% and 28% respectively (Feinstein, 2002). Social anxiety has also been found to be common in MS sufferers. In one study, 30.6% of serial clinic patients met criteria for social phobia (fear and avoidance of social situations) on the Social Phobia Inventory, which was not associated with severity of disability.
Mindfulness is a meditative technique that involves adapting and learning to focus your attention on emotions, sensations and thoughts in a very accepting and non-judgemental way. It allows the patient to be focusing fully on the present moment rather than on regret for the past or worries about their future. It helps to break the cycle of negative thoughts and negative emotions and is an approach that can be used to manage some of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, and address the issues of effects such as depression and anxiety. It has been found that mindfulness can improve quality of life and help people cope better with their MS diagnosis and the condition throughout their life. Studies also found that it decreased stress levels, anxiety and depression which are the two main psychological effects of MS.
To show your support for MS, get involved with MS awareness week 2018. To find out more visit: https://www.mstrust.org.uk/ms-awareness-week-2018
BE BOLD IN BLUE MS awareness 2018!