How do you respond when a family member says you blame everything on MS?
This is a really tough and hurtful comment to hear, especially from people you care about. Many MyMSTeam members have faced similar situations where loved ones don't fully understand the wide-ranging impact MS can have.
One helpful approach is to be Show Full Answer
How do you respond when a family member says you blame everything on MS?
This is a really tough and hurtful comment to hear, especially from people you care about. Many MyMSTeam members have faced similar situations where loved ones don't fully understand the wide-ranging impact MS can have.
One helpful approach is to be honest and direct. As one member put it, "Tell them what you know. Honesty is the best way to go, always." You might explain that MS affects your nervous system in ways that create symptoms throughout your body — some visible, some not.
It can help to educate them about how MS works. Start by explaining what the disease physically does inside your body, then describe the side effects you experience both physically and emotionally. Sometimes sharing a trusted resource, like a video from an MS specialist or an article, can help them understand without you having to do all the explaining.
Some members find it useful to wait for real-life moments when symptoms appear. For example, one member shared: "I just wait until a symptom comes up... I just tell them it was a bad one." This can make the invisible more visible.
Remember, understanding takes time. Not everyone will get it right away, and that's not your fault. Focus on the people who do support you, and know that you're not alone in dealing with this frustration.
April 22
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