Equipping People To Make Sense Of What They Are Told
Management
Some of the drugs prescribed for other MS symptoms can also have an effect on mood,
such as corticosteroids used in the treatment of relapses.
The high toxic levels and the serious side effects of many disease modifying drugs
drugs can affect a persons mood.
Depression can also be caused by MS itself, though how this happens is unknown. It
is considered by some experts that the level of depression in MS is higher than in
other neurological conditions, though again the reason for this is unclear.
Treatment of depression takes two forms: Drug therapy and psychotherapy, often used
in combination
Drugs such as:
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors - SSRIs - e g:
The psychotherapeutic approach may involve identifying the cause of depression, and
trying to alter negative patterns of thinking and behaviour into a more positive
approach.
Comment - “Difficult when so many MS people are left alone looking at four walls”.
Note
A drug sometimes prescribed for depression is known as a mono-amine oxidase inhibitor
- MAOI. The drug prevents the action of a natural enzyme called tyramine.
Some cheeses may contain tyramine and a rise in blood tyramine can result in; a rise
in blood pressure - palpitations - severe headaches and a rise in blood tyramine
levels can become life threatening.
Depression in MS - Depression is a very common mental illness in MS. It is thought
that about half of all people with MS will experience an episode [s] of depression
at some stage. However it is important to distinguish clinical depression from low
mood.
Depression involves persistent sadness lasting more than two weeks, accompanied by
other symptoms such as:
An altered sleep pattern.
Feelings of hopelessness.
Guilt.
Inability to concentrate - cognitive problems.
Low self esteem.
Pain (Pain may effect treatment for depression)
Reduced energy - fatigue
Thoughts of death.
Unable to take pleasure in anything.
Depression associated with MS - Broadly
That caused by MS.
That caused by living with MS.
That caused by the actions and attitudes of family and friends.
That caused by the indifference of the general public.
That caused by the manner in which the MS person is informed of their diagnosis.
That caused by the indifference they experience from some health professionals.
That caused by the indifference and lack of understanding of some authorities
Depression in MS can sometimes be difficult to diagnose because symptoms such as:
Fatigue.
Lethargy.
May occur in both conditions.
Mania is relatively rare and, where it occurs, potential triggers should be investigated.
Experience
As with other long-term conditions, the experience of living with MS can lead to
depressive moods:
The impact of symptoms on relationships with family and friends.
Changes in employment or having no employment.
Changes in the ability to take part in some tasks or pastimes.
Severe financial restraints.
Being left to fend for one-selves - many MS people live alone and have only the social
contact experience created by the daily visits of their carers.
