Dear MS Friends:
Now that we are headed into winter and the early darkness of the season, it’s a good time to be more aware of your mood. Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs during specific seasons; usually fall and winter.
Depression is very common in people who live with MS. Living with MS often means not knowing how or if your body will function when you need it to. That uncertainty gets reinforced by all the annoying symptoms and sensations that the human nervous system can produce. The MS body can be unpredictable, unreliable and uncooperative. Not what you signed up for, right? There are no replacement parts and the service department can't guarantee repairs.
The good news is, depression is treatable. What might be more difficult to overcome is the stigma associated with anything perceived as even vaguely mental health related. So here's a cliche for you: It's okay to not be okay. Don't let shame or pride keep you from enjoying life.
There are plenty of tried and true remedies to help boost low mood that don't require a prescription or a stiff drink! Think about the things you enjoy and seek them out. Music? Nature? A good movie? Books? That hobby you keep stashed in the closet? Make a mess. Smile. Be good to yourself.
Here's a flagrant plug for exercise - get some endorphins on board. I know, I know ..... but hear me out. Moving, in whatever way possible for you, is helpful in combating depression. Physical therapists can facilitate an exercise program for you. With some consistency and time there can be great benefit. No need to join a gym or become a weekend warrior. The most mundane activities of daily living can be effective too.
- "Reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression
- Improve moods
- Boost self-esteem
- Support cognitive function
- Promote immune system health
- Reduce inflammation
- Regulate appetite
- Improve sleep"
Depressed mood, anxious ruminating and worry will aggravate symptoms that you would otherwise be able to ignore. If you find yourself gravitating to worse-case-scenarios and catastrophizing it's a habit you'll want to reign in. Are you spending your downtimes of the day searching the web for the health condition that's going to kill you? C'mon now...... cut it out.
If all your best self-care strategies fail you, it might be time to talk to your health care provider and take steps to help pull you out of the dumps.
