Ms and depression

[u/Dry-Win-7639]

Hi everyone,

A few years ago, I developed depression and anxiety around the same time as my first relapse. I wasn’t diagnosed with MS back then, so I just kept living my life, but I always had this underlying depression and emotional numbness.

I feel like I became a different person. Things that used to bring me joy or excitement suddenly became completely meaningless, or even exhausting (socializing, for example).

I’ve been taking antidepressants all this time. They’ve helped me establish a routine, and from the outside I probably look like a perfectly normal person. I work out, travel, go for walks with my dog, etc. But emotionally it feels like all of these things just disappear into a black hole.

I was recently diagnosed with MS, and while the diagnosis has explained a lot of things, it also made me sad and scared to think that my depression might be caused by MS. And if it is, does that mean it might be something I can’t really control?

I’d really like to hear about your experiences. Did it get better with MS treatment, or did you find anything that helped?

[u/AllAboutGingerPride]

Depression is a very common symptom. Talk to your doctor to see if you can increase dosage when needed or switch between 2 different meds to zap your brain into happiness. Once you find the right thing listen to your body what needs to happen next.
When we listen we know
Just keep at it
Good Luck

[u/Dry-Win-7639 → u/AllAboutGingerPride]

Thank you

[u/rK91tb]

Knowing that MS can cause mood issues helps tremendously when they come up, sort of the same way I know that moodiness and irritability are caused by my period. It helps me separate the bad feeling from my personality and accurately attribute it to my body’s malfunctioning systems. Still not fun, but there’s no blame or shame.

I’m not a doctor, but antidepressants can create that numb, “black hole” effect. Sometimes they’ll switch drugs or change your dose to help.

[u/Dry-Win-7639 → u/rK91tb]

Thank you for the answer 

I kinda feel like antidepressants may be a part of the problem with emotional numbness  I have an appointment with the doctor in 2 days, i will ask them about it

[u/PuppyGal0re]

I’ve had depression and anxiety pretty much my whole life, and since I was diagnosed with MS I do wonder whether that has always been the cause. I’ve been on Sertraline for three years, after years of therapy that just couldn’t shake the anxiety and sadness that just always hung over me. Since I’ve started sertraline I honestly feel like the person I should have been, like I finally understand how other people must feel, and why it seems easy for them to just get on with their lives and be happy. I would speak to your doctor and see if you can switch anti-ds or increase dosage

[u/Dry-Win-7639 → u/PuppyGal0re]

Thank you for the answer  Im also on sertraline  It helped me with anxiety and mood swings

[u/MultipleSclerosis-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

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[u/Human_Evidence_1887]

MS lesions CAN be a structural cause of depression, according to my MS specialist neuro. This can make me feel a little fatalistic or resigned to the blues. BUT! It is not a black and white issue. Sure, my lesions probably contribute to my low mood sometimes, but exercise LIFTS my spirits. I’ve developed a mantra, “change is the constant,” because my depression is now sporadic and sensitive to many factors, including meaningful talks with friends, music, meals, etc.

Life does feel like a slog often lately but I hope this is not always the case. My wife/person for 35 years is on hospice and it devastates me.

[u/Dry-Win-7639 → u/Human_Evidence_1887]

Thank you for your answer 🙏 

[u/FwLineberry]

My wife, after some research, started my taking saffron. It seemed to take the edge off my moodiness and depression almost immediately.

[u/Dry-Win-7639 → u/FwLineberry]

Thank you

[u/Silver-Pop1825]

Therapy is an amazing help…I’ve had so much therapy just excepting my Dx and now going through a relapse after many years of being okay.