Multiple Sclerosis is a tough disease. It has many common symptoms, vision problems, balance issues, cognitive difficulties. But one that isn’t mentioned, but should be, is depression. Depression is one of the most common symptoms of MS, but one of the least talked about.
The numbers can vary from study to study, but around 40-50% of individuals who have MS will also experience an episode of depression at some point during the disease course. Some studies list it as higher, some lower, but the evidence is clear that depression and MS are linked.
The first reaction for many would be “this makes sense”. MS is a life altering condition that brings high anxiety about the future. But grief and depression are different. Grief is expected and usually improves over time. Or can increase if a new symptom is present, or a relapse occurs. Depression on the other hand, doesn’t improve as time goes on. Yes, if treatment is involved it can, but if left alone, usually it won’t reverse course on its own.
Several studies have looked at lesion burden, location and if these impact rates of depression. Studies found that brain lesions do seem correlated to depression rates, as those individuals with higher rates of brain lesions had higher rates of depression. Going a bit further, in these studies researchers were able to target specific areas of the brain and correlate depression with lesion location. Specifically the left anterior temporal and parietal regions. Now, I’m not saying that if you have lesions in your brain, or in these specific areas, you’re going to be depressed. Not at all. There are many other factors that are at play as well.
Cognitive difficulties are another common symptom of MS. Around 40% of individuals state they have some aspect of cognitive issues. Although once thought to not be connected, cognitive issues are also connected to depression as well, especially moderate to severe depression. Studies are showing that tasks that require effort, like information processing, working memory and executive functioning are the things that are affected by depression. Routine tasks that are more like reflexes are not as affected. This might be one of the reasons why it might have been thought that depression and cognition were not correlated. At first on the surface, it seems like they aren’t. But once you dig a bit deeper and look at the full array of processing, it turns out they are.
One of the causes of depression that has been showing up in research in the past few years is inflammation. Even in individuals without MS, it has been shown that higher inflammation levels are correlated with depression rates. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that brain inflammation was 30% higher in individuals who experienced depression. There is also evidence of increased proinflammatory cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid.
With all the information regarding where depression may stem from for individuals with MS, you’d think treatment regimens would be clear. However, it’s not that simple. Considering many of the symptoms of depression and MS look similar, fatigue, cognitive issues and somatic pain (among others), diagnosing depression apart from MS can be rather tricky. However, this shouldn’t deter anyone from seeking treatment. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a form of talk therapy that is very effective with depression. Learning coping skills to help manage depression can be instrumental to living a functional life. Having a solid support system around you as well is important. And, trying measures to reduce both systemic and brain inflammation can be key as well. This could include daily stress management techniques, exercise, eating well and taking supplements. Finding what works for you in your self care plan is crucial.
It is clear that MS and depression are highly correlated. But that doesn’t mean it is an absolute, or a forever if you’re in it now. There are key steps you can take to reverse depression and feel in control again.
If you’re ever feeling suicidal, or in extreme emotional distress, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 800-273-TALK (8255) — or access the online Lifeline Crisis Chat. Crisis workers are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Your toll free, confidential call will be routed to the nearest crisis center in the national network. These calls will provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals.
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This is what came through during my meditation this morning.
I’ve been feeling so BEHIND lately..
That I’m not doing enough..
That progress isn’t happening fast enough..
But that’s a lie.
I’m right where I should be.
I needed this message today… maybe you do too?
This is what came through during my meditation this morning.
I’ve been feeling so BEHIND lately..
That I’m not doing enough..
That progress isn’t happening fast enough..
But that’s a lie.
I’m right where I should be.
I needed this message today… maybe you do too?
This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..
Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day
Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.
Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?
I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!
This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..
Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day
Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.
Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?
I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!
You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.
You just have to show up.
You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡
*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.
You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.
You just have to show up.
You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡
*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.
Have you pre ordered your copy of Resilience Redefined yet??
This is a chronicling of 7 individuals who have autoimmune disease (5 of which have MS too!!) and how they take care of themselves in the best ways they can.
Pre orders are open until October 24th!!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!
Have you pre ordered your copy of Resilience Redefined yet??
This is a chronicling of 7 individuals who have autoimmune disease (5 of which have MS too!!) and how they take care of themselves in the best ways they can.
Pre orders are open until October 24th!!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!
“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”
Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.
Did you see??
Pre Orders are open!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Grab your copy here:
https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/
Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!
“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”
Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.
Did you see??
Pre Orders are open!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Grab your copy here:
https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/
Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!
Struggling to start with exercise?
Try this tip!!
Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.
Because we’re trying to do something different after all.
This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.
Become who you want to be in your mind first.
Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!
Struggling to start with exercise?
Try this tip!!
Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.
Because we’re trying to do something different after all.
This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.
Become who you want to be in your mind first.
Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!
It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.
This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.
““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”
So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/
Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!
It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.
This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.
““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”
So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/
Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!
If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!
This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!
You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!
Share with anyone who also might like this!!
If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!
This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!
You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!
Share with anyone who also might like this!!
This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.
But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!
This is rewiring your brain in action.
You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.
And boom! A new pathway is born.
It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing!
This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.
But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!
This is rewiring your brain in action.
You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.
And boom! A new pathway is born.
It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing!
This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.
Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?
I see you.
Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!
This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.
Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?
I see you.
Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!
We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!
Come on in…
Let me show you around!
This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!
Wanna join us?
Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!
We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!
Come on in…
Let me show you around!
This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!
Wanna join us?
Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!
There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.
Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.
But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.
Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️
There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.
Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.
But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.
Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️
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