Aa
emmotional problems
hi all
is it normal to experience extreme mood swings when dealing with ms because although my symptoms can at times drag me down i can feel very emmotional at very odd times this feeling can come over me without warning and is something that has only been happening recently.i am still waiting for diagnosis so my wife thinks it could be the uncertainty of not knowing.i would really value anyones thoughts on this and thanks to all who have responded to my previous questions
is it normal to experience extreme mood swings when dealing with ms because although my symptoms can at times drag me down i can feel very emmotional at very odd times this feeling can come over me without warning and is something that has only been happening recently.i am still waiting for diagnosis so my wife thinks it could be the uncertainty of not knowing.i would really value anyones thoughts on this and thanks to all who have responded to my previous questions
just an addition ...I was severely depressed and I can't do that very long so I went to a psychistrist and she changed my antidepressant to Cymbalta and later increased my dose by one more capsule....it was a miracle drug for me, i couldn't function like that.
It may not work for everyone....just did for me.
hugs , meg
It may not work for everyone....just did for me.
hugs , meg
Unfortunately, mood swings are common, even more so when you are in the process of being diagnosed. There is so much happening with doctor appointments, tests, different diagnoses discussed. It can be very troubling.
The symptoms are painful and that creates stress.
Be kind to yourself during this time. It's OK
Red
The symptoms are painful and that creates stress.
Be kind to yourself during this time. It's OK
Red
MS causes situational depression. It also effects the gray matter of the brain and can cause a wide range emotional problems. Some short circuiting in the brain. MS can mess up your sleep which also causes emotional problems.
I was thought to be Bipolar for 30 years. Now that they figured I have had MS that long they now say it is the MS. My sleep was messed up which caused most of my depression and mood swings. I still take a mood stabilizer to help. I can't take antidepressants but many with MS do.
Counseling has been important to me. I have a counselor who specializes in chronic illness. I thought I could not afford counseling but I was heading for a hospitalization and realized I could not afford not to have counseling. Counseling is cheaper than a hospitalization.
Limbo and my first year after diagnosis were hard. Now it is much better. I go to counseling every few weeks and have a great Psychiatrist who understands Neurological disorders. Regular exercise helps. When I feel weird I take a walk even a very short one if I am not able to walk.
The test for situational versus regular depression for me is when someone says "What are you depressed about?" and I realize the depression is lens I viewing the world through and I am not necessarily having a situational issue. Depression to me is inertia I get stuck and can't move. The main thing is to not fight it, it takes too much energy to fight. It is like if you are body surfing and a big wave pulls you under if you try to get right up the next wave knocks you down but if you relax and feel the rhythm you can feel when to get up.
Getting help is important. My Neurologist blew me off when I said I needed help. Luckily I sought out a therapist. I would not be here today otherwise.
Alex
I was thought to be Bipolar for 30 years. Now that they figured I have had MS that long they now say it is the MS. My sleep was messed up which caused most of my depression and mood swings. I still take a mood stabilizer to help. I can't take antidepressants but many with MS do.
Counseling has been important to me. I have a counselor who specializes in chronic illness. I thought I could not afford counseling but I was heading for a hospitalization and realized I could not afford not to have counseling. Counseling is cheaper than a hospitalization.
Limbo and my first year after diagnosis were hard. Now it is much better. I go to counseling every few weeks and have a great Psychiatrist who understands Neurological disorders. Regular exercise helps. When I feel weird I take a walk even a very short one if I am not able to walk.
The test for situational versus regular depression for me is when someone says "What are you depressed about?" and I realize the depression is lens I viewing the world through and I am not necessarily having a situational issue. Depression to me is inertia I get stuck and can't move. The main thing is to not fight it, it takes too much energy to fight. It is like if you are body surfing and a big wave pulls you under if you try to get right up the next wave knocks you down but if you relax and feel the rhythm you can feel when to get up.
Getting help is important. My Neurologist blew me off when I said I needed help. Luckily I sought out a therapist. I would not be here today otherwise.
Alex
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Just waiting on the testing and trying to be patient with the process is enough to cause huge swings. We're talking about a life-time diagnosis when you are dx'd with MS. This is serious c rap that can't be fobbed off as something little.
The problem of emotional lability can also be a very real physical manifestation of the disease process. Inappropriate/uncontrollable emotions can be traced to certain portions of the brain that can be involved with MS.
Whether your problem is situational or biological, please don't let it go on for too long. If it becomes bothersome to you and/or those around you, please seek professional help. The doctors have a whole arsenal of pharmaceuticals that can be used to help.
In the meantime, try to relax - the diagnostic process of MS is not for the faint of heart.
be well,
Lulu