Does MS cause mental illness?
Depression is common with MS. People with chronic diseases or disabilities often become depressed over their medical situation. In addition, the stresses that MS places on work, finances, and family also contribute to depression. It is also likely that damage to the brain plays a direct role in the depression that may be seen with MS. Discuss depression with your health care provider because it can be treated. Sometimes treating contributing factors such as work or financial stresses may help. Counseling to improve family understanding, coping strategies, or further understanding may be of great help. Medications may be needed in some cases. Other mental illnesses (such as bipolar disease, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, etc.) are not increased in patients with MS. The frequency of these diseases in MS patients and the general population is the same.
