Mind and Emotions

Experts and people living with MS agree that there are many ways to compensate for mental symptoms. A sense of humor and a bit of patience were mentioned by everyone. These are not hopeless problems.

MS may affect: memory reasoning word finding concentration

Cognition About 50% of people with MS will develop some cognitive dysfunction. In MS this generally means impaired ability to think, reason, concentrate, or remember. But only 10% of the group with cognitive dysfunction develop problems that are severe enough to interfere in a significant way with everyday activities. More on MS and Cognition

Emotions In addition to physical symptoms, MS can have a profound effect on one's emotions. People can have painful feelings about the disease as well as mood changes caused by the disease. More on the Emotional Aspects of MS Common emotional reactions: fear, denial, anger, grieving, depression, guilt

Depression People with MS and all those closely associated with them should be aware that depression is common during the course of the disease.

Depression: An overview Depression and MS Antidepressants

Intimacy and Sexuality
Does MS affect sexuality? Everything connected to MS—from its physical symptoms to its emotional impact—can affect sexual expression. But this doesn’t mean that sexual problems can’t be managed successfully. People with MS can and do have fulfilling sex lives. Please consider these suggestions:

• Work at sharing feelings honestly with your partner.
• Be flexible about sexual expression.
• Seek medical treatment for physical symptoms.
• For nonphysical problems, consider consulting a psychotherapist or counselor who specializes in sex therapy

• Sexuality: An overview
• MS and Intimacy
  Managing sexual problems

	MS and Intimacy Personal stories about dating, frank advice about communicating sexual needs and problems, descriptions of treatments and therapies, and a helpful list of resources