The emotional toll of living with multiple sclerosis (MS) can have a major impact on a person's quality of life. Depression and anxiety are both common among people with MS.

Depression impacts as many as half of people living with MS — three times the rate in the general population. A study of approximately 265,000 Canadians found that anxiety was 58 percent more prevalent among people with MS than the general population.

Depression is one of the top causes of decreased quality of life with MS, according to a 2019 study published in Brain and Behavior.

Depression and anxiety may be caused by an initial diagnosis, disease progression, the unpredictability of symptoms, and fears about the future. Both mood disorders can also be the result of MS-related neurological changes.

What MyMSTeam Members Say About MS, Emotions, and Quality of Life

MyMSTeam conducted a survey in March 2020 to better understand how MS affects members’ emotions and quality of life. The survey included 928 individuals in the United States who are living with multiple sclerosis.

MyMSTeam asked members about the physical, social, and emotional impact that MS has on their lives and the steps they take to lessen the impact of MS

MyMSTeam shares the results of our member surveys so that our community can learn, collectively, from each other’s experiences.

MyMSTeam members shared some of the difficult emotions they encounter as a result of MS. When asked how much they agree or disagree with having a series of experiences, the majority indicated they feel stress, anxiety, depression, and a sense of isolation.

MyMSTeam members also shared other ways MS has impacted their quality of life. The top challenges members reported include the impact of MS on cognitive skills and overall quality of life, and physical challenges, such as performing everyday chores and exercising.

Read more about the results from the MyMSTeam survey Steps To Lessen the Impact of Multiple Sclerosis.

Connect With Others

By joining MyMSTeam, the social network and online support group for those living with multiple sclerosis, you gain a support group more than 175,000 members strong. Dealing with MS symptoms is one of the most-discussed topics.

How much of an impact does MS have on your emotions or daily life? Have you found ways to improve your mood? What do you recommend to others who might be struggling with the impact of MS? Share your thoughts in a comment below or on your Activities page.