Coping with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, uninvited guest that arrives in your life and the lives of those around you. It is there to stay.

When you are diagnosed with MS you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed, frightened, confused and distressed. You may have heard the diagnosis, left the consulting room and returned to your normal daily life without giving it another thought until the next ‘real’ change in circumstances. You may have “shut down” emotionally. Or like many, you may have found you experienced a combination of all the above. ER24 is urging people with MS who cannot cope to seek counselling, talk to a neurologist, an MS nurse or contact groups such as Multiple Sclerosis South Africa (MSSA). MSSA offers support to people with MS, their families and carers. Non Smit, the director of MSSA Western Cape, said receiving a diagnosis of MS does not have to be negative.

“I know many people who find that the diagnosis provided an opportunity for change in their lives. There are many stories of people changing their career paths, changing their lifestyles, getting fit and so on. Receiving the diagnosis can be a ‘turning point’ and can be a time where the future is re-evaluated in a proactive way. “Ultimately, it is important to recognise that your reaction is a unique process. There is no right way to react and whatever your reaction, it is part of a normal process. It is important to remind yourself that you are the same person you have always been. MS may require you to make adjustments to how you approach different aspects of your life over time, but you are the same person after diagnosis as you were before,” she said.

Smit added that one way of understanding your initial reaction is to liken it to a roller coaster ride. At first there is a scary anticipation of the ride to follow, then once seated on the ride, the realisation there is no turning back. “The ride then begins and a significant number of emotions are experienced. There are highs and lows. And, like a roller coaster, some people are able to cope and others find it too frightening. “I talk to people who have been newly diagnosed with MS about how it is like a grieving process. Even though it is a very distressing and emotional experience, grief is nevertheless an important and healthy part of life,” said Smit. She said that grief allows us to survive change. It can help you to find new and creative ways to deal with change.

“In MS, grieving can be seen as a tool that helps in re-evaluating life, revising your view of life and changing your life where needed, with the goal of adapting to any losses you might experience. Grief can be a positive response to loss. While it might seem overwhelming to start with, healthy grieving enables you to let go of the past and grab hold of the future. Grief has been described as a gift, which has the power to heal. This may seem like a strangely positive description, but one leading psychologist (Elizabeth Kubler-Ross) said ‘it transforms the wounded, broken soul’. It is a normal process that each human being experiences in life,” said Smit.

Being newly diagnosed does not have to be a scary time. There is help out there and people who have been where you are right now. “You will probably have many questions that no-one seems to be able to answer and are unsure where to go for help. Without having to commit to any membership, use the MS Society as an important port of call to provide you with information on valuable resources. You simply have to call the office and you will be pointed in the right direction. If you still prefer to remain anonymous for a while without people interaction, make use of reputable websites. One good place to start is www.multiplesclerosis.co.za,” said Smit.