Learning living with Multiple Sclerosis begins when the first symptoms appear. At first this might mean tingling sensations, mild numbness, feeling weak or occasional urge to urinate.

Most people usually ignore the problem, but as it persists they become angry at themselves, and fear that they are going crazy or it’s all in their head. If a doctor is consulted, he or she might not know what is really happening, so MS is not mentioned at first, but as test results come in and a diagnosis is placed, the person is at first relieved that it is not psychological.

After the relief disappears, anger and grief surface once more, and soon grief develops into depression for the newly diagnosed person with MS. This can be accompanied by loss of sleep, change of appetite, feelings of despondency, all which leads to decreased self-esteem, changes in life plans, goals and values and the fear that they will be rejected family and friends.

There are a number of ways to adapt to MS. However, the element of stress is constant in all phases of the adjustment process. The human brain has an amazing capacity to compensate for the effects of the disease, but this is often lost under stress. This is why finding ways of coping with stress is extremely important. Simply put, stress feeds the illness, and illness feeds the stress, which leads to an angry and despondent person.

Understanding that MS is a disease of the central nervous system, which includes the brain, is extremely important, because once this is understood, one will know that MS will change the biochemistry of the brain. The change in the brain’s biochemistry might appear as emotional changes, but in fact these are biochemical changes that result in changed feelings and behavior. Since these changes are of neurochemical nature, their require neurochemical treatment with antidepressants, and they also require the person to acknowledge that there is a problem caused by the disease and that it needs help and treatment.

Another effect of demyelination is the fact that the intellect decreases. Thus, memory, planning, and foresight diminish. These changes are subtle at first, but they increase with time. At first newer memories at lost, while older memories last. This is a result of demyelination, rather than psychological causes. Counseling for this problem should be focused on understanding and adjustment. 

Coping skills should be developed on an individual basis, and they involve learning to deal effectively with stereotypes of the disabled in the community, perceived changes in masculinity or femininity, changes of roles within families, changes in employment status, increased dependence, and changes in physical condition.

Some practical coping techniques include:

• Making a list of conditions required for positive self-esteem and disciplining oneself to create at least some of them

• Determining a way (small or large) to contribute to society and follow through with one’s plans

• Attending appropriate counseling sessions

• Learning to say no to certain requests in such a way as not to damage one’s self-esteem

• Making a list of people who can be relied on for various kinds of support and calling on them for assistance when feelings of despair appear

• Disciplining one to stay as healthy and as physically fit as possible

• Creating opportunities to get out of the house

• Taking charge of situations rather than allowing them to dictate

• Prioritize projects