With MS, it’s important to address mental health early in the process
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Josh Bell poses for a family photo with his daughter, Emarie, and wife, Holly. (Photo by Keith Carlsen)
In recognition of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in March, the MS Awareness Month campaign features a series of stories highlighting the real-life experiences of people affected by MS, written in their own words. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and Pinterest for more stories like this, using the hashtag #MSAwarenessMonth, or read the full series.
When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2019, I focused almost entirely on the physical aspects of the disease. Like many people facing a new MS diagnosis, I paid attention to symptoms, mobility, and what MS might take away from my body. My energy went into understanding what was happening to me physically and how I could manage it.
What I didn’t focus on — and what I now realize was a mistake — was the mental and emotional side of living with MS.
At the time, I believed that if I could manage the physical symptoms, everything else would fall into place. I assumed I was mentally strong enough to handle the emotional impact on my own. I didn’t give much thought to how uncertainty, fear, and loss might affect me over time, and I didn’t prioritize support for my mental well-being.
MS, however, doesn’t just affect how you move or feel physically. It affects how you think, how you cope, and how you process the reality that your life has changed. The mental side of MS can be just as challenging as the physical symptoms, even though it’s far less visible.
Ignoring that part of the disease can quietly take a toll. You may feel isolated, overwhelmed, or misunderstood, even when you appear to be managing well on the surface. Looking back, I can see how much I underestimated that impact early on.
That’s why I strongly encourage anyone who is newly diagnosed — and even those who have been living with MS for years — to take advantage of programs like the National MS Society’s MSFriends program. Having people available who truly understand what you’re going through is incredibly important for overall well-being.
Support from family and friends is essential, but it doesn’t always fill every gap. My wife, for example, is supportive in every way imaginable, and I’m incredibly grateful for her. Still, she doesn’t have MS. As hard as she tries, she can’t fully understand what it’s like to live with a disease that affects each day differently.
She doesn’t wake up wondering how her body will feel, how fatigue might interfere with plans, or how symptoms may change without warning. That doesn’t reflect a lack of care — it’s simply the difference between living with MS and loving someone who does.
Being able to talk with someone who does have MS is different. There’s no need to explain or justify how you’re feeling. There’s an immediate understanding that comes from shared experience. That kind of connection can be deeply validating and reassuring.
Programs like MSFriends provide a space where those conversations can happen. For me, connecting with others who live with MS has helped reduce feelings of isolation and reminded me that I’m not alone on this journey. Sometimes, just knowing that someone else understands can make a difficult day easier to manage.
Looking back, I wish I had given the mental side of MS the same attention as the physical side from the beginning. Addressing emotional health early could have helped me cope more effectively and adjust to life with MS in a healthier way.
If you’re newly diagnosed, my advice is simple: Don’t wait. Take care of your mental health early. Reach out, seek support, and find community. Whether through MSFriends or another program, connecting with others who truly understand can be just as important as any medication or treatment plan.
