Does MS affect your mental health?

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Margarita_k

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Edited on 16/01/2018 at 14:30

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Margarita_k

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A lot of people with Multiple Sclerosis suffer from depression, whether it is mild or severe.

Depression in MS patients can be caused by treatment, by MS itself, or simply by the fact of being affected by a long-term illness and stress related to it.

Have you already suffered or are suffering from depression? How are you coping with it? Are you seeing a psychologist or is it your consultant that prescribes treatment and gives advice?

Thank you for sharing your experience! It can be of use to other patients.

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Juliette

Edited on 16/01/2018 at 09:03

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Juliette

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I have been suffering with clinical depression for about ten years. My doctor has asked me if I want to see anyone to talk about it but I haven't done.

It's not only caused by the M.S: Many things have gone wrong in the past few years.

I take 375mg Venlafaxine per day. I don't cry daily any longer but nor am I happy; I'm more numb. The things that are wrong in my life won't go away so my depression/unhappiness is here to stay!

Does MS affect your mental health? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/ms-and-depression-2128 2018-01-15 15:18:33

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16/01/2018 at 00:50

My wife of 38 years could no longer tolerate my moods and vileness of my MS symptoms and left me 6 months ago. I spiralled into a deep depression, something I have never really experienced before. Since this began my GP has been very helpful. I have been signed into a group called Healthy Minds on the NHS and a PC run system, called Silver cloud. I now take an antidepressant and I have found although my sleep and sadness pattern is radically bad still, I am at present able to cope.

Does MS affect your mental health? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/ms-and-depression-2128 2018-01-16 00:50:00

hayles

02/03/2018 at 10:07

hayles

Last activity on 26/05/2025 at 10:42

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I too am depressed. I just feel my life as I used to know it has gone & things I used to love doing like cooking etc (I was a chef) before PPMS took over & ended everything I adored doing. I have nothing to live for now, I've lost most of the so called friends I used to know, as soon as they knew I was sick they left me behind. I have nothing left so I feel it's time I gave those that still bother with me, a break. I done it once & was taken to hospital. So next time I will succeed. Don't really think anyone will care, I won't even be remembered so I might as well go.

Does MS affect your mental health? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/ms-and-depression-2128 2018-03-02 10:07:33

Margarita_k

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14/03/2018 at 19:10

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Margarita_k

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Hi @hayles‍ , there are a lot of support groups where you can find not only professional help but also the support of those who are in the same situation as you. Like @AndrewB‍ has said, the NHS and other organisations provide special programmes for people affected by different types of depression.

Hope this information helps!

Kind regards,

Margarita

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Does MS affect your mental health? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/ms-and-depression-2128 2018-03-14 19:10:45

hayles

14/03/2018 at 21:02

hayles

Last activity on 26/05/2025 at 10:42

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Thanks so much Margarita. When I get around it, I will take a look at some of the organisations you have mentioned.

hayles xx

Does MS affect your mental health? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/ms-and-depression-2128 2018-03-14 21:02:57

Stokey

16/04/2018 at 12:53

Stokey

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Very saddened to here about your depression Hayles, I totally understand am going through the same thing, to the point where I literally don't know what to do wit my days. I tried the NHS route but they just recommended a course of CBT which can be very frustrating when you have MS, confusion etc...

I am wondering if it's time to try anti-depressants again? I didn't like them last time, a good while ago but I am told that they have improved?

I very much hope that your situation improves. I think that sometimes friends want to help but don't really know hoe to so just avoid it XX

Does MS affect your mental health? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/ms-and-depression-2128 2018-04-16 12:53:22

Juliette

17/04/2018 at 10:46

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Juliette

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@Stokey Hello @Stokey. I take it that you live in Stoke?? If so, so do I!

Does MS affect your mental health? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/ms-and-depression-2128 2018-04-17 10:46:51

Courtney_J

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08/12/2021 at 12:17

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Courtney_J

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Hello everyone,

I hope you're doing well. I thought I would revive this older discussion for us to talk about MS and it's impact on mental health.

Living with a long-term illness, especially a progressive autoimmune disease like MS, can be a hard. Besides the physical symptoms that come with MS, its fluctuating and inconstant nature can make it hard to cope and can take a toll on your mental health.

How has it been for you? Has MS impacted your mental health? Do you feel more stress or sadness with your MS? Or the opposite? What do you do to cope when you feel down?
@Brandon‍ @Laurenhiggs‍ @Gohare‍ @EmmaMilo‍ @robparr10‍ @Mollymoo25‍ @TheLise‍ @Zoella123‍ @Galadriel88‍ @Juper79‍ @Jobuck63‍ @DGV2478‍ @Redpetal‍ @joe.bell‍ @Yvonne3101‍ @SoniaNIN‍ @Debsimarie‍ @SallyA75‍ @Minirogue‍

Feel free to share your thoughts with us here!

Take care,
Courtney

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Courtney_J, Community Manager, Carenity UK

Does MS affect your mental health? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/ms-and-depression-2128 2021-12-08 12:17:12

flowergirl

05/05/2022 at 21:35

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flowergirl

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Hi,

I can't say I suffered from depression or in any case it was never diagnosed. But I was quite shaken when I got the diagnosis. It took me a lot of time to get used to the fact that I have an incurable condition that will affect my whole life.. But I did, eventually. Even though it was really really difficult at times. My husband wanted me to see a therapist but I never did.

Don't know if it would help. Has therapy helped anyone here to accept the diagnosis?

Does MS affect your mental health? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/ms-and-depression-2128 2022-05-05 21:35:18

Does MS affect your mental health?

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