Stress doesn't cause MS, but it can definitely make things harder. Research shows that both emotional and psychological stress may worsen symptoms and could even increase the risk of relapses.
As one MyMSTeam member put it, "MS and stress do not play well together." Here's how stress can impact MS specifically:
- Worsening Show Full Answer
Stress doesn't cause MS, but it can definitely make things harder. Research shows that both emotional and psychological stress may worsen symptoms and could even increase the risk of relapses.
As one MyMSTeam member put it, "MS and stress do not play well together." Here's how stress can impact MS specifically:
- Worsening symptoms — Fatigue, muscle tension, and brain fog can all get worse during stressful periods
- Triggering relapses — A review of 14 studies found stressful life events were linked to a higher risk of MS relapses
- Pseudo-relapses — Stress can cause symptoms to flare temporarily, then clear up quickly
- Mood changes — Stress is closely tied to depression and anxiety, both of which are common in MS Managing stress is considered an important part of living well with MS. Some approaches that members have found helpful include guided meditation, physical therapy, and keeping a symptom journal to spot stress triggers.
It's always worth talking to your doctor if stress feels unmanageable — they can help find strategies that work for you.
September 20
For me personally, I had a history of anxiety in my 20s that I managed to overcome in my 30s through a lot of self work but as MS took over, I noticed that it has become very difficult to manage stressful moments and I have had to take an anti-anxiety medicine for about two years now.
September 21
Stress has always made everything much worse than it ever was, and it always will😜.
September 24
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