MS can make you anxious. But you can give MS something to worry about.

Life can be stressful at the best of times, and living with MS can also add to your anxiety and stress. Don’t let MS define who you are. There are ways you can live the life you want and still achieve your goals, and there are ways to overcome feelings of anxiety.

Remember that there are now more treatments available for MS than ever before, which is one less thing to worry about!

Here, we give you information and first-hand tips on how to help you overcome your anxiety and take back control of your life.

Although anxiety is a natural reaction that can help you respond to immediate threat and stress,¹ it can start to have a negative impact on your life if left unchecked.² Anxiety can cause feelings of worry or unease, dry mouth, racing heartbeat, lack of energy, and insomnia, and it may even cause you to have trouble thinking clearly.^2,3

Anxiety is more common in people with MS.⁴ Your anxiety might be caused by your thoughts and concerns about your future with MS⁴ or may be due to the impact of MS on the brain itself.^2,5 Some studies suggest that anxiety is due to changes in the brain caused by MS directly, but there is no conclusive evidence.⁵

I was scared and worried that my diagnosis would mean people would see me differently. I managed to overcome these feelings and now know those fears were just in my head. I think a lot of things with MS start in your head, but that doesn’t make them a reality.

Mike

Living with MS since 2014

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Remember that you are not alone and there are many ways to deal with MS and your anxiety.²

We spoke to MS expert Katie about her experience of anxiety and how it affected her. Katie was diagnosed with MS when she was 22, but she had started experiencing anxiety 3 years before that. After her diagnosis, she started having panic attacks and began to worry about her future with MS. To cope with her anxiety at first, Katie just avoided thinking or talking about things that sparked it, but eventually her anxiety started to affect all aspects of her life.

I often experienced panic attacks and worried what my future would be like with MS.

Katie

Living with MS since 2016

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Panic attacks may come on quickly and with no apparent reason or triggers. You may experience a racing heartbeat, feel faint or be short of breath, or experience nausea. Although panic attacks can feel scary, there are ways to deal with them.⁶

The treatments for panic attacks include medications and psychological therapies to train your brain how to react to certain situations.⁶

The symptoms of panic attacks are similar to other serious conditions, so if you are experiencing them and are concerned, contact your healthcare team.⁶

Talk to your doctor

Remember, the first step to overcoming anxiety is to realise you’re not alone and that there is help and support available. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling. They can recommend psychological treatments or self-help strategies or prescribe anti-anxiety medication, depending on what’s causing your problems.^2,3,6

I took back control by acknowledging the issue and having the self-confidence to talk to my doctor. I’ve now started taking medication for my anxiety and have started to feel much better.

Katie

Living with MS since 2016

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Go to support groups

A recent study showed that support from social networks – like friends and people at support groups – helps reduce anxiety.⁷ Check out our section on support groups for further information on the types of groups available.

I now share my experiences and talk about my feelings with online community groups, which has helped me a lot.

Katie

Living with MS since 2016

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Make lifestyle changes

A good night’s sleep can have a big impact on your mood and ability to deal with what life throws your way.⁸ Lack of sleep has also been linked to a reduction in overall wellness and productivity, so it’s not surprising that it can affect your mental wellbeing.⁹ Incorporating exercise and relaxation and just generally putting time aside to do things you enjoy are all important to help make worries more manageable.^2,6,10

I learned breathing exercises and started using meditation apps to help deal with my stress and anxiety.

Katie

Living with MS since 2016

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Find ways to overcome anxiety that work for you

The reasons behind your anxiety will be unique to you, and the ways you deal with it will be unique to you, too. Think about what’s causing your issues and what might work best for you.

I get body and back massages regularly, which helps with pain and stress.

Katie

Living with MS since 2016

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The one thing that never fails to help with my anxiety is my dog Pete. He was there when I was first diagnosed with anxiety, then MS, and then depression. He seems to know when I need him.

Katie

Living with MS since 2016

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• Remember that it’s normal to have these feelings
• Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling, and don’t be afraid of asking for medications to help
• Join an online community or support group¹¹
• Find a calming exercise you enjoy (e.g. yoga, going for a walk or bike ride)
• Get enough rest⁸

1. Multiple Sclerosis Society. Stress and anxiety. https://www.mssociety.org.uk/about-ms/signs-and-symptoms/mental-health/stress-and-anxiety [accessed May 2020].
2. Multiple Sclerosis Trust. Anxiety. https://www.mstrust.org.uk/a-z/anxiety [accessed May 2020].
3. NHS. Symptoms. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/generalised-anxiety-disorder/symptoms/ [accessed May 2020].
4. Butler E, et al. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2016;10:145–68.
5. Murphy R, et al. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2017;88:697–708.
6. NHS. Panic disorder. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/panic-disorder/ [accessed May 2020].
7. Henry A, et al. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019;27:46–51.
8. Freeman D, et al. Lancet Psychiatry. 2017;4:749–58.
9. Magnavita N, Garbarino S. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017;14:1347.
10. Chwastiak LA, Ehde DM. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2007;30:803–17.
11. MS Society Canada. Programs and services. https://mssociety.ca/support-services/programs-and-services/1150/mental-health-helpline [accessed May 2020].