Multiple Sclerosis: Mental and Emotional Problems

Overview

Cognitive impairment problems can be caused by MS. These may include trouble with:

• Memory, especially short-term memory.
• Problem solving.
• Keeping attention on a mental task, such as a math calculation.
• Finding the right words to express yourself.

These problems are often quite mild early in the course of the disease. But they may get worse with time, depending on the location of tissue damage (MS lesions) in the brain. Side effects of medicines used to relieve physical MS symptoms may cause cognitive problems.

Emotional problems may include:

• Depression. This is common in people with MS.
• Anxiety.
• Anger.
• Inappropriate cheerfulness (euphoria).
• Uncontrollable outbursts of crying or laughing at strange or inappropriate times.
• Thoughts of suicide.