Psychological symptoms of multiple sclerosis
1. Feeling of loss
When suffering from multiple sclerosis, the patient faces challenges that affect his daily lifestyle, which may lead to him feeling the pain of losing the ability to do activities that he previously enjoyed.
The grief that follows the loss of these abilities differs from depression in several characteristics. One of the most important of these characteristics is that this type of sadness is temporary; It gradually fades over time.
In addition, the affected person can find some comfort and enjoyment in other activities that are still within his capabilities, and these provide him with a break from the challenges of the disease.
2. Mood changes
People with multiple sclerosis may face psychological difficulties because the symptoms of the disease are variable and unpredictable, creating feelings of stress and uncertainty. This situation can result in mood swings, sometimes characterized by anxiety and rapid anger.
3. Psychological pressure
Many individuals suffer from psychological stress due to various life challenges, and these stresses may intensify in people with multiple sclerosis. This disease affects the individual's ability to perform his daily tasks efficiently, which increases his feeling of burden and psychological exhaustion.
4. Anxiety
Some patients with multiple sclerosis experience anxiety after being diagnosed with the condition, as it is difficult for them to predict the progression of the condition, which can also cause them to feel frustrated.
5. Depression
It is known that patients with multiple sclerosis suffer from depression at a rate more than three times higher than others. Scientists, since the end of the nineteenth century, have indicated a link between this disease and depression. However, deep and systematic research into this relationship has only begun in recent decades.
6. Pseudobulbar affect
The phenomenon in which people exhibit emotional responses that are inconsistent with their true feelings is called the false onion effect.
We may find someone crying without being truly sad, or bursting out laughing at something that is not humorous.
This condition stems from a disturbance in communication between the front and back areas of the brain, and is sometimes the result of the effects of multiple sclerosis.
What are the non-psychological symptoms of multiple sclerosis?
Here we review a group of physical symptoms of multiple sclerosis, which vary in their impact and prevalence among patients. We will go into detail about these symptoms to better understand how this disease affects the body.
1. Feeling tired
Most sufferers feel fatigued, as about 80% of individuals are affected by this condition. This fatigue may lead to challenges completing daily chores and participating in normal activities.
2. Difficulty walking
You may feel numbness in the legs or feet, and this may be accompanied by difficulties in maintaining balance. You may also experience muscle spasms or general muscle weakness, and vision problems may also occur.
3. Visual problems
Multiple sclerosis may affect vision, as a person may develop problems in one or both eyes. These problems may appear continuously or may occur intermittently, and in some cases, complete recovery may occur. Among the visual symptoms that people with multiple sclerosis may experience are:
- Optic neuritis, where inflammation occurs that affects the nerve that transmits visual information from the eye to the brain.
- Double vision, which causes the patient to see objects repeatedly.
- Nystagmus, which is an involuntary, repetitive eye movement.
- Vision loss, which may be partial or complete. These symptoms require a medical evaluation to determine the appropriate treatment and follow up on the patient’s condition.
4. Symptoms related to speech
Some signs appear in a person, including slurred speech.
He also suffers from noticeable pauses during speech, whether between words or sentences.
What is multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is one of the diseases that belong to the category of autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, which is responsible for protecting the nerves.
This attack damages the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves, impairing many vital functions such as vision, balance, and muscle control.
The first symptoms of multiple sclerosis often appear during youth, between the ages of 17 and 42, but can occur at other ages including childhood and old age. Studies show that females are more likely to develop this disease than males.
What are the types of multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is classified into several types, among which the relapsing-remitting type stands out as one of the most common forms among those affected, as the course of the disease is marked by periods of relapses followed by a temporary remission in symptoms.
On the other hand, comes secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, in which the sufferer witnesses a continuous deterioration in his health condition with the possibility of relapses.
While primary progressive multiple sclerosis is characterized by a gradual and continuous deterioration without a clear break in symptoms or relapses.
As for benign multiple sclerosis, it is considered the mildest of these types, as patients recover completely from relapses that may appear, and the effects of the disease may appear only rarely over periods extending to 10-15 years.
What is the treatment for multiple sclerosis?
There is not yet a complete treatment available that completely eliminates multiple sclerosis, but some therapeutic methods can be followed to control the symptoms of this disease and prolong the rest periods between attacks. Among the methods used:
- Use corticosteroids such as methylprednisolone and prednisone to reduce swelling and inflammation of the nerves.
- Medicines that slow the progression of the disease and reduce the risk of relapses, such as natalizumab and interferon.
- Drugs to relieve muscle spasms.
- Medications that help fight depression.
- Follow a comprehensive and moderate diet that supports the patient’s health.
- Get enough rest to ensure the best body performance.
- Undergoing physical therapy sessions to maintain mobility.
- Engage in regular exercise to improve physical fitness and health.
In these ways, people with MS can better manage their disease and enhance their quality of life.
