Depression most common symptom in MS???

[Lia]

Apparently, my psychiatrist informed me that depression is the most common symptom for those diagnosed with MS.

I wonder why this happens...

Does anyone have an explanation for this?

[football-mom]

I thought the most common symptom was fatigue.

[Alicious]

I've always heard that the depression rates in MS being higher than average are unexplained. Rather, they can be from organic changes to the brain, or they could be because MS is damned depressing...or both.

[misslux]

It's the most common mental disorder in MS apparently.

I found this apt.rcpsych.org/content/12/3/214.full

[Alex94]

no surprise

I wasn't surprised when I read about it soon after I was dx. The prospect of living with a debilitating incurable disease for the rest of your life is depressive enough.

[Temagami]

Depression is not the most common MS sx, it IS much more common in people with MS than the rest of the population. It is not a given that you will become depressed. There is the depression from the dx, or from the consequences of the sx, but there is also an organic cause for SOME people with MS that is caused by the disease itself.

[misslux]

It is the most common MENTAL disorder in MS.

Depression is the most common mental disorder in multiple sclerosis and it represents a considerable source of morbidity and mortality. Hence, its detection and treatment is of utmost importance.

Source: hapt.rcpsych.org/content/12/3/214.full

[Thinkimjob]

Have to agree Alicious and Alex94.
Depression seems to me a completely rational reaction to having an incurable, progressive disease, especially one which can and often does suddenly get worse at any time.

It's not like it's a good thing.

[Cat Mom]

I'm not sure of the accuracy of this but I've heard the #1 cause of death in MS patients is suicide. If this is true, I'm not surprised about the depression info.
Jen

[SNOOPY]

Hi Lia,

Depression for those with MS can happen for reasons such as organic, side effects from medications and situational (uncertainty, fear, ect.).

Not everyone with MS will experience depression and depression can have causes outside the realm of MS.

[22cyclist]

The most common cause of death in a person with MS is respiratory related (when someone aspirates, their muscles are too weak, etc.), there are other causes that are non-related to MS...i.e. Suicide that are in the minority. It doesn't place second according to the NIH.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18303108

Take care
Lisa

[mgoerke]

There have been studies comparing depression in MS patients and those with ALS. One would expect the ALS group to have much higher numbers, but the MS patients had a higher incidence of depression.

This is what leads to the conclusion that there is something in the mechanism of MS I the brain that causes the depression vs. the overall lifestyle impact.

As a person with lifelong inherited depression I can tell you that about a year after my MS dx my depression began to intensify despite my medications. Anxiety became a significant issue and that had never been the case for me.

Meds had to be increased and anti-anxiety meds added.

Here's my totally non-scientific theory.

I know that my brain's need to constantly re-route signals is part of what causes fatigue. There is data to support that theory.

I suspect that the anxiety is caused by my brain constantly being bombarded with warnings from my limbs. I have permanent numbness, pain and incorrect signaling (burning, phantom movement) in both my hands and feet.

Those warnings or feelings of danger activate my Brian's fight or flight response (the amygdala). So my brain is constantly squirting out stress chemicals. This equals anxiety.

Now, there is a direct link between anxiety and depression. The brain's reaction to constant stress/anxiety is depression.

Like I said, I'm not a scientist, but I have a pretty objective viewpoint on mental illness. It runs in my family dating back to the 1800's. (family history of Suicides in each generation). So I made it my business years ago to understand the genetic and chemical causes if this situation.

So, if you are encountering depression and anxiety since being hit with MS I strongly recommend a few things.

Find a psychiatrist who works with MS patients. They understand the chemical mechanisms behind all of this. My doctor is actually a pharmacology specialist. He deals with the chemistry aspect of mental illness more than the situational causes (like everyday life).

Ask your MS doctors if they know of a rehab medicine counsellor. These are therapists certified to counsel people dealing specifically with health issues. You can also call your hospitals for references and cancer centers. My counselor Lainie was a life saver for me literally as I tried to grapple emotionally with the MonSter. Hey, the depression isn't ONLY about chemistry. I had my life stolen from me at the age of 42 without warning, so I was a little upset :-)

Learn about mindfulness mediation. Look up Jon Kabat Zinn online. There are videos on YouTube. This was a tremendous help for me. It has helped me to deal with the both the physical and emotional/mental toll MS has taken on me. I cannot recommend it enough!

Well, hope that all helps. Please fight the depression in every way you can. No matter how bad MS is for you, your life still has value and meaning. You still have value and meaning. Maybe more now than ever :-)

[SNOOPY]

Hello mgoerke,

Now, there is a direct link between anxiety and depression. The brain's reaction to constant stress/anxiety is depression.

This is not necessarily true.

You can have depression without anxiety and anxiety without depression. Some will have both but it is not a foregone conclusion that if one happens so does the other.

Stress, fear, worry and uncertainty can cause Anxiety. Thoughts have a lot to do with anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as well as mindful meditation can help control or minimize anxiety.

[Renee13]

I had the worse case of anxiety this past year. My anxiety has caused me to just not care anymore. I've been so depressed. I'm very sure that my anxiety has not help me. It has made living a living hell some days. But I feel a better this past week.

Not to worry tho. I do go see a doctor about it.