Managing mental health following an MS diagnosis

The following article discusses topics related to mental health and wellbeing. While we aim to provide helpful and supportive information, this content is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health challenges, we encourage you to seek support from a qualified mental health professional or contact a crisis service in your area. In Australia, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 for 24/7 support. 

Receiving a life-changing diagnosis like multiple sclerosis (MS) can trigger a flood of emotions: grief, denial, fear, anger and sadness. For many, there is also relief in finally having answers after a period of unexplained symptoms. But even with a diagnosis, adjusting to your “new normal” can take time. 

As you come to terms with your diagnosis, it’s important to acknowledge that your emotional responses are valid. MS doesn’t just affect the body, it can have a profound impact on your mental and emotional wellbeing. You’re not alone in what you’re feeling and MSWA is here to support you every step of the way.  

There’s growing awareness in the medical community about the relationship between mental health and MS. Research shows that people living with MS are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than the general population. This is due to a combination of factors: 

• Biological changes: MS affects the central nervous system, including parts of the brain that regulate mood.
• Psychological stress: Dealing with unpredictable symptoms and uncertainty about the future can be emotionally taxing.
• Social impacts: Feelings of isolation, loss of independence or changes in relationships can take a toll. 

Recognising the connection between MS and mental health can help you understand why you need to prioritise your emotional wellbeing alongside managing your physical symptoms. That’s why MSWA offers support that considers the whole person, with access to MSWA Counsellors, Social Welfare and Wellbeing services to help you manage the emotional impact of your diagnosis.  

It’s completely natural for your mental health to be affected as you process this life change. 

Some common challenges include:  

• Depression: Up to 50% of people living with MS will experience clinical depression. This goes beyond occasional sadness and may include feelings of hopelessness, changes in appetite or loss of interest in things you once enjoyed.
• Anxiety: Living with uncertainty can lead to persistent worry about your symptoms, future, relationships and career. Anxiety may manifest as restlessness, difficulty sleeping or physical signs like a racing heart.
• Adjustment challenges: Emotional or behavioural symptoms that arise as a response to a major life change, in this case, your diagnosis. It might look like mood swings, withdrawal or difficulty coping day-to-day.
• Grief and loss: Many people experience a grieving process, mourning the life they had before MS or the expectations they held for the future. This is a deeply personal experience deserving of compassion. 

While these emotional responses are common, the good news is there are steps you can take to regain a sense of balance and control.  

Opening up to a friend, partner or a family member can be a powerful first step. You don’t need to have the perfect words, simply sharing what you’re going through can lighten the emotional load. 

Speaking to a professional with experience in neurological conditions can help you navigate the emotional landscape of your diagnosis. MSWA Counselling Services offers a safe, supportive space for Clients to talk through challenges and find practical strategies that feel right for you. Our qualified counsellors offer support in-person or via telehealth. While they cannot assist with funding, their services can be accessed through the NDIS, Support at Home, fee for service and private health insurance.

Joining a support group, whether in-person or online, can provide a sense of community and comfort. Hearing from others living with MS can reduce feelings of isolation and give you tips for managing day-to-day life. 

MSWA Counselling & Wellbeing Department facilitate counsellor facilitated support groups and workshops across metro and regional Western Australia designed as safe places to share your experiences and connect with others on similar journeys.   

MSWA also facilitates community-led peer support groups.  

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed at times. Building a toolkit of coping strategies can help you ride the emotional waves. These might include: 

• Practising mindfulness or meditation
• Journaling your thoughts and emotions
• Engaging in creative outlets like art or music
• Gentle exercise or movement suited to your ability
• Spending time in nature
• Establishing a daily routine to create stability 

MSWA’s Wellbeing Service can support you in developing these tools with evidence-based resilience modules delivered to Clients in person or via telehealth. These practical, neuro-informed sessions are designed to help you strengthen and maintain your resilience and build strategies that work for you.  

MSWA Client Hank Gidney was diagnosed with MS in 2018 and the mental and emotional toll has been a significant part of his journey. 

“I reached out to MSWA and was put in touch with Counsellor, Eve Parsons, and started having regular sessions to talk through everything from life, love, loss and grief. For me personally, I needed to make sense of this. What this condition meant for me going forward.” 

As part of MSWA’s Counselling and Wellbeing services, Eve supports people living with MS and other neurological conditions to practise mindfulness. It’s a key tool in managing stress, navigating change and staying grounded during uncertainty. 

“This improves our Clients’ resilience as they deal with their symptoms and disabilities over time, and learning mindfulness in a group brings all the benefits of peer support and camaraderie,” says Eve. 

For Hank, mindfulness became more than a technique, it became a shift in perspective. 

Hank’s story shows how personalised support and small mindset shifts can make a meaningful difference when navigating the emotional side of MS. 

It’s okay to ask for help and it’s especially important to reach out if: 

• You feel persistently down, anxious or hopeless
• You’ve lost interest in things you used to enjoy
• You’re withdrawing from loved ones or isolating yourself
• You’re struggling to manage your daily life
• You’re having thoughts of self-harm or suicide 

These are signs that your mental health and MS need extra support. Support is available and with the right care, many people living with MS experience meaningful improvements in their mental wellbeing. 

If you’re in crisis or need immediate help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 – available for 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention.  

Every step you take toward caring for your emotional wellbeing is an act of strength. There is no one-size-fits-all approach so give yourself permission to try different approaches, seek support and prioritise your mental health as part of your MS journey. 

You are not alone, help is available. If you or someone you care about is struggling emotionally, reach out to MSWA's Counselling team today. We are here to support you with practical tools, emotional care and a connected community so you can face the future with confidence and hope.