PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF MULITPLE SCLEROSIS

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) consists the most common, non-traumatic, inflammatory disease of the Central
Neural System that results in disability, with onset in early adulthood. The etiology is autoimmune, and
the symptoms vary vastly, coming from every system, even the psychiatric sphere. Each person experiences
different disease course, relapses, symptoms, evolution of the symptoms in the timeline, so that there is not
a specific way MS progresses. The psychological burden of every chronic illness is enormous, let alone MS
is unpredictable. The impact of this disease to the person with MS (PwMS), as well as to the family, is very
important, not only because of the changes in the physical function, but also because of the psychological
ones. Thus, considering the variety of the losses a PwMS experiences (health, job, sociality, activities,
autonomy etc), many negative feelings emerge. Sorrow, anger, guilt, shame, loneliness are very common
feelings that appear in MS. Finally, these emotions intrude to the everyday life, affecting the persons
relationships, activities, psychosocial adaptation and of course the quality of life. It is very important that
neurologists be aware of these psychological changes, recognize them and refer the patient to a mental
health specialist.