MS Is Frustrating, So It’s Healthy to Talk About It
We all have taken advice or read about how to manage our multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. And we can share with our doctors, spouses, children, or friends about our experiences. But a far better emotional therapy is empathizing with a fellow MS warrior.
People can’t understand living with MS unless they have experienced it. They try to be helpful and understanding and offer comforting words, but the reality is, just as I don’t understand a lot of others’ hardships, they can’t understand mine.
As the title of this column states, “MS is frustrating, and it’s healthy to talk about it.” Discussing our frustrations in the correct setting and with like-minded people is inspiring. It can have an extremely positive effect on our mental, physical, and emotional state.
In a Psychology Today article, “Talk About Your Problems, Please,” Barton Goldsmith, PhD, writes that talking with others helps you to problem-solve. The article also states, “You may find that brainstorming with another person or even a group will help you find new ideas to help you move forward. When you know someone has your back, that emotional support can make all the difference.”
Goldsmith also noted that sharing concerns and asking questions may be hard to initiate at first. But once you get started, it can be a huge weight off your shoulders. Sharing our issues and questions with others in a safe place can help to alleviate the burden of suppressing a problem or concern.
I am happy to say that there is a new place for empathy in town! The Multiple Sclerosis News Today Forums recently opened its doors. MS News Today created the forums as a safe haven for the MS community. It is also an excellent resource for spouses, parents, friends, and caregivers, or anyone who’s interested in learning more about MS. It is a place we can go to share ideas, and discuss symptoms and ideas. It is a great place to connect with others in the MS community. Always remember: We are not alone with this disease. There are millions of MS warriors just like us.
We all want to learn more about our MS and treatments. But we also enjoy talking about what makes us happy and other subjects of interest. There are many topics to choose from, or you can start your own forum topic. Please, join forum moderator Ed Tobias and me at the MS forums. We would love to see you there!
Check out this topic in the forums to get involved in a discussion about this column piece.
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Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.
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Comments
Chris
Frustrating.
That's my MS.
Debi Wilson
Frustrating definitely sums up MS for me as well! Hope to see you in the forums soon! Debi
http://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/forums/
Leila
It’s frustrating to be so clumsy, to not be able to walk very far at all, and to need to spend hours every day lying down and often napping. I miss the old me and the things I used to be able to get done in each day.
Debi Wilson
I can relate Lelia!
It is so frustrating! Hope to see you in the forums again soon! Debi
Ade P
You are so right Leila, although the memory of how things used to be keeps me going if not a little frustrated as to how things were !
Dale Degraffenreid
My daughter has PPMS in the latter stages and yes it is definitely frustrating when nothing is helping with pain. The pain is so severe she can hardly make it. Mobility at this time in her life is not good. She also has a pain pump and has had for seven years and is getting ready to have it replaced tomorrow. None of the pain Meds or her Bacoflen for MS seems to be helping with the pain. She is in desperate need for relief.
Debi Wilson
I am so sorry to hear this Dale! MS is brutal and to watch your child in pain must be unbearable! Please, join us at the forums to share and get support! ! I Hope to see you there! Debi
http://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/forums/
Cyndi
Kudos to you Debi (and Ed Tobias). The forum is a positive public place that allows sharing of thoughts, experiences, concerns and questions. Go Team MS!
Debi Wilson
Thank-you so much, Cyndi!:) See you in the forums! Debi
http://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/forums/
Laura
Tired of MS stealing my life. There is no one to talk with about MS.
Family and friends mean well but they do not understand.
Everything I say is always the same thoughts, same problems, same repeated words expressing the same frustrations. Who wants to hear the same repeated complaints? Even I get tired of hearing myself.
Am I living in the Twilight Zone?
Debi Wilson
I totally understand Laura, please, join us at the forums! It is great to relate to others with MS and vent if need be! Hope to see you there! Debi
http://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/forums/