Panic and anxiety are very real struggles for many people living with MS, and you're definitely not alone in this. MS-related changes in the brain can affect emotional regulation, which can make feelings of panic harder to manage.
Here are some approaches that may help:
- Mindfulness and meditation — Staying focused on Show Full Answer
Panic and anxiety are very real struggles for many people living with MS, and you're definitely not alone in this. MS-related changes in the brain can affect emotional regulation, which can make feelings of panic harder to manage.
Here are some approaches that may help:
- Mindfulness and meditation — Staying focused on the present moment, using deep breathing or guided imagery, can help calm the mind without trying to suppress anxious thoughts
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — Helps reshape unhelpful thinking patterns into more manageable ones
- Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) — A goal-oriented approach to building specific coping skills
- Psychological first aid (PFA) — Originally designed for trauma, it's been adapted to help with all kinds of distressing experiences Leaning on trusted people around you also matters. Communicating openly with friends, family, or caregivers about what you're experiencing emotionally can help them better support you during difficult moments.
If panic is significantly disrupting daily life, reaching out to a mental health professional is a really worthwhile step. There's no need to navigate this alone.
September 18