Interested in mental health

[msSupporter]

How does MS after 30yrs affect mental health?

[NorasMom]

I don't know that MS itself is to blame, but after that many years you've watched your life change drastically in ways you didn't anticipate. Maybe you identified yourself by the work or hobbies you can no longer do. Your social life becomes nonexistent. Basic functions are more complicated. You become rather invisible to the people around you.

It's increasingly difficult to stay positive and upbeat when you can't move easily, are in pain, or struggle to think. MS doesn't make us crazy, but the issues it causes can certainly lead to grief and depression.

[msSupporter in reply to NorasMom]

Thank you so much for your response. Looking for answers for my wife that I have watched slip farther and farther away .The ups and downs of MS has become more downs than up. From Physical to mental,energy, the pills and just the overwhelming feelings. Trying ro stay positive but it is sooo hard. Thankfull to have God and other people to lean on.

[bettlebug in reply to NorasMom]

thank you Nora's mom. You worded that perfectly!

[goatgal]

You will learn more by looking at the websites of MSSA and NMSS, two reputable and accurate sources of information about MS. Many of us with MS suffer from depression; some have pseudobulbar affect, but as always, each of us is different despite some similarities. Your question is very general, and it's not clear if you are asking as a caregiver or as someone with MS, so it's difficult to answer with specifics.

[msSupporter in reply to goatgal]

Asking as a care giver.

[goatgal in reply to msSupporter]

Thank you for clarifying. It does make a difference! I was diagnosed with MS the month of my 70th birthday, almost 14 years ago. It is very difficult, even for caring, empathetic others to understand how MS affects me. I have given up trying to explain my symptoms to some people in and outside my family because they simply cannot resist telling me what to do or how to do it, or how others have "cured" their MS. It's not in my character to get angry or sad, but I do limit my contact or conversation with some people. I know it's confusing to them, but it's a survival skill for me. BUT I'm not everyone else; others with MS might leave a relationship, become constantly angry, or deeply depressed when they experience the frustration of attempting to explain "why" or "how" they feel when MS manifests itself. Thank you for exploring this issue!

[Elizt3]

are you thinking about down the road (after 30 years)? Or how you’re feeling now? Do you have a particular concern?

[msSupporter in reply to Elizt3]

My wife has had for 30 yrs, and trying to plan for the furture. Scary but want to be as informed as we can.

[Elizt3 in reply to msSupporter]

I think the future path can be so unpredictable. I have had MS for 27 years and my mental health has been in good shape. My mother had MS for 40+ years. I remember her getting depressed about 8-10 years after her diagnosis, but then I think it improved notably. In light of the drastic impact on her physical function, her mental health remained quite positive. A strong support system, being engaged with life as much as possible, and self-care can make a difference. It's so wonderful that her spouse is thinking about this issue ❤️

[msSupporter in reply to Elizt3]

Have been there to see people say ,do this,try that ,you look great. But the fatiuge she goes thru is very tough and unexplainable. Her mental health and congnitive seems to go hand in hand with heat.stress,and just trying to plan the day when not feeling good. I want to change the world for her because I am a mister fix it. But knowing I cant. I can assist and pray. And support as best asI can. It is so unexplainable. Not even sure I will ever fully understand my self.

[Elizt3 in reply to msSupporter]

others really can’t understand what people with an illness like this can go through. They really have no way of understanding. Being there for her and assisting how you can and supporting and encouraging her means the world, that’s my opinion. I just had an hour and a half MRI, and my significant other drove me and stayed there and was there for me when I finished. He goes with me to doctors appointments when he’s able to. He drives me an hour and a half to see my neurologist and get my infusion. I’m eternally grateful. He can’t fix it, but all those things make all the difference. Sounds like you are a wonderful support person. Hope you can take care of yourself as well.

[sashaming1]

I understand that there is a higher rate of depression for those who have MS than even those with cancer. I think it could be a mixture of physical brain brain reasons and psychological reasons. I don't know the effect of long-term issues.

[StacyHayward]

I think this is very individualized. I’ve officially been diagnosed for 23 1/2 years and my neuro thinks I had it five years earlier, so I’m nearing 30 years. Most of the time my mental health is doing really good. I try not to worry too much about the future and do what I can to maintain my health. But my MS has been milder than others. I can’t begin to compare how I feel to others experiences. I try really hard to spend a lot of time serving others to keep myself from wallowing in self pity, and I think it makes a great deal of difference in mental health. Now, that being said, I have really bad days too and fall apart. My trick is to give myself a talk and move on afterward.

[mrsmike9]

I am nowhere near 30 years but I have a chemical imbalance (through my mother's side) and so have been on depression meds. for way longer than 30 years! In spite of the depression meds, MS did kick me down. The one thing I have discovered is the art I do. It is something I started to improve my hand dexterity (which was getting worse because of my MS) and to my surprise has been so appreciated from all sides. That gives me a rush, plus it's my escape when I am working on a piece that I can put my worries out of my head for at least awhile. Is there anything she likes to do? Some passion that she's given up that with some adjustments can be done again?

BTY, teach MY husband to be so caring. He's not even Googled MS, except for the very beginning (nearly 10 years ago).

[msSupporter in reply to mrsmike9]

She is very artistic and i want to encourage her to as much as she can to persure that. Even with all the challenges. Even when it comes to picking out paint colors. I look up to much stuff and ask to many questions. spins my head. I will be praying for everyone on here to find the peace even thu the challenges. God can do anything and will walk with us thru the darkest times. Thank you for your response. very helpfull to talk about this with others. Been so long holding it in.

[mrsmike9 in reply to msSupporter]

This is what I do which helps my hands. Show it to her to see if that gets her creative juices flowing.

Button cat

[msSupporter in reply to mrsmike9]

Truly Amazing ,Great Job!!!

[mrsmike9 in reply to msSupporter]

If your wife is on Facebook, have her look up "button MosaicS".

[anaishunter]

I was on depression medicine prior to MS diagnostic and I'm glad I was because MS was yet another wrinkle in life that I was not ready for.

Many of us with MS, have depression because it's hard to make peace with what MS takes from you.

I am not shy about being under depression drug. It makes me function so why not?