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msfocusmagazine.org
Are you experiencing feelings of depression 
or anxiety? Are you finding yourself frequently 
reacting to situations with negativity, frustration, 
and anger? Do you feel sad a majority of the time? 
Are relationships feeling strained? Are you 
feeling isolated or avoiding social engagements? 
Are you feeling a sense of loss over the person 
you were and the things you were able to do 
before being diagnosed with MS? 
You are not alone, and there is support 
available for you. 
Living with MS presents its own unique 
challenges. The unpredictable nature of MS can 
lead to unwelcome changes including physical 
ability, thinking and processing skills, and 
memory. There may also be changes in the 
ability to work, drive, or take care of household 
responsibilities. Familial and social relationships 
may be affected as well. All of these factors will 
affect a person’s emotional wellness. 
Whether you are newly diagnosed or have 
been living with MS for many years, building 
and managing a supportive healthcare team 
is crucial. The primary goal is to build a team 
that actively collaborates with you to live your 
best possible life.  
Adding mental health to the mix
Adding mental health to the mix   
Managing the complexities and frustrations 
of a diagnosis can be overwhelming. It can 
influence various aspects of your life and cause 
significant changes. However, you do not have 
to carry this burden alone. Integrating a mental 
health professional into your healthcare team 
can be a powerful resource to help manage 
these feelings and work towards a healthier 
version of you. 
Mental health professionals include 
counselors, social workers, psychologists, and 
marriage and family therapists. They are experts 
in helping individuals feel understood, manage 
daily stressors, enhance relationships, regulate 
emotions, and identify the origins of negative 
thought patterns. 
Mental health support is referred to by 
various terms such as counseling, therapy, 
psychotherapy, and talk therapy. You may 
also encounter the term ‘behavioral health,’ 
which identifies the department within your 
healthcare system that provides mental 
health services. 
Behavioral health benefits 
Behavioral health benefits  
Incorporating a mental health professional 
into your healthcare team will vary depending 
on your insurance coverage and your health 
system’s process. Here are some tips for how 
to get started: 
• Contact your insurance company: Inquire 
about your behavioral health benefits. Some 
insurance companies will provide a separate 
phone number to address behavioral health 
questions.  
• Consult your healthcare provider: If you are 
seeking a provider within your healthcare 
system, speak with your primary care 
provider or neurologist to request a referral. If 
a referral is not required, they should be able 
Mental Health is Vital
Mental Health is Vital 
to Coping with MS 
to Coping with MS  
Behavioral health is an integral part
Behavioral health is an integral part 
of overall health and wellbeing.
of overall health and wellbeing. 
By Tiffany Malone

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