Mood, Emotions and MS Catherine Condon Clinical Neuropsychologist Integrated Psychology Living Well with MS Living a full and meaning-filled life Social connection Valued activity Healthy exercise Healthy diet Balanced rest Symptom management REDUCE STRESSORS 1
Living with Multiple Sclerosis Unpredictable course Physical function Thinking and memory Mood (as a primary symptom) Unpredictable impact Career Family Relationships Mood (as a secondary symptom) Mood can impact symptoms Cognitive change Sleep/ fatigue/ pain Mood and emotion changes Employment/ finances Social change 2
Symptoms can impact mood Cognitive change Sleep/ fatigue/ pain Mood and emotion changes Career / finances Social change MS - Vulnerable times Diagnosis Emergence of new symptoms A significant loss of function A change from relapsing-remitting to progressive Self-Injection Post-natal period Leaving employment Relationship breakdown 3
Common responses: to loss / change / stress Shock Denial Emotional numbness Sadness, Tearfulness Anger, Irritability Exhaustion Anxiety, Worry, Fear Shortness of breath Rapid heart rate Headaches Muscle tension Pain Eating pattern change Sleeping pattern change Difficulty concentrating Withdrawal from others Lack of pleasure Loss of hope Loss of confidence Grief and adjustment Is normal Can be intense and overwhelming Generally eases with time Typically return to daily activities despite continued sadness, sense of loss or concern 4
Ways to care for yourself Talk to someone you trust about how you feel Make choices that look after you Give yourself time to heal Learn to say yes when people offer help Draw on your network of supports Indulge your senses mindfulness, relaxation Accept what you are unable to change Identify alternate ways to experience valued living Problem-solve, Delegate, Prioritise, Reduce load When to seek help When it interferes with your ability to function: Work Family Friends 5
When to seek help Generalised Anxiety Specific Anxiety (eg: needle phobia) Panic Attacks Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Depression Bi-polar Affective Disorder Psychosis Anxiety SYMPTOMS Racing heart rate Tightening of chest Lump in the throat Muscle tension Perspiration Excessive worry Difficulty concentrating Irritability BEHAVIOUR Interferes with your ability to complete daily activities Leads you to avoid situations Persists across a number of months with little relief 6
Panic SYMPTOMS Sweaty Shaky Increased heart rate Shortness of breath Nausea or stomach pain Dizzy or lightheaded Feeling detached from reality Feel you are going crazy Fear you may die? BEHAVIOUR Avoidance of feared situations A DISTINCTION: Panic Attack common and not necessarily disabling long term Panic Disorder recurrent disabling panic attacks across the course of at least a month Phobia SYMPTOMS Excessive perspiration Nausea Diarrhoea Trembling Muscle tension BEHAVIOUR Persistent avoidance of the feared situation Injection Social gatherings Eating in front of others 7
Depression SYMPTOMS Sad, tearful Loss of pleasure Significant weight loss or gain Insomnia or hypersomnia (reduced or excessive sleep) Slowed movement or fidgety Fatigue or loss of energy Feelings of worthlessness or guilt Decreased concentration, indecisiveness Recurrent thoughts of death/suicide BEHAVIOUR Withdraws from friends/family Avoids going out Stays in bed Not achieving tasks Stops looking after appearance May abuse sedatives, alcohol or other drugs Language is negative Symptoms persist for more than two weeks Different types of depression Bipolar Affective Disorder SYMPTOMS Periods of depression Periods of normal mood Periods of mania Feeling overly great Boundless energy Talking fast Racing ideas Loss of reality BEHAVIOUR Similar to depression when mood low When mood elevated: Excessive spending Excessive sex Excessive activity (achieving much more than the average person) 8
Where to seek help Consult your GP Rule out other medical causes Mental Health Care Plan (eligibility for 10 sessions of therapy per calendar year) Consult a Psychiatrist assist in more specific diagnosis of mood disorder advise on medications Able to provide Mental Health Care Plan for therapy Consult a Psychologist Opportunity to discuss and process your emotional experience Strategies to respond effectively to unhelpful thoughts that feed mood Strategies to respond to life s demands Helpful if the health professional understands MS and is easy to talk to. Where to seek help Suicide Help Line 1300 651 251 Lifeline 13 11 14 MS Connect 1800 042 138 APS Find a Psychologist www.psychology.org.au Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 The Black Dog Institute www.blackdoginstitute.org.au 9