Attention, concentration and mental speed Many people describe feeling as though they can't function as quickly as usual. They can still achieve tasks but it requires more time and effort than before. Research also suggests that the ability to process information may slow down.
Some people find it harder to find the right words, to concentrate or to recall things quickly. People with MS sometimes talk about 'brain fog' or 'cog fog' to explain how they feel. Speak to a doctor or your MS team if you or those close to you notice cognitive symptoms.
Slowed cognitive processing speed and episodic memory decline are the most common cognitive deficits in MS, with additional difficulties in executive function, verbal fluency, and visuospatial analysis.
Over time, about half of people with MS can have some cognitive problems. That means poor focus, slowed thinking, or a fuzzy memory. Often, these problems are mild and don't really interrupt your daily life. It's rare to have severe thinking problems.
MS can occasionally cause inappropriate behavior
This type of behavior is thought to result in part from MS-related damage to the normal inhibitory functions of the brain. These behaviors may also reflect very poor judgment related to cognitive dysfunction caused by MS.
People may experience such things as forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, and confusion. Brain fog is also referred to as “brain haze” or “cog fog” — short for cognitive fog. As we know, MS is a disease of the central nervous system that affects the brain and spinal cord.
Depression can occur throughout the course of MS, even in mild forms of the disease [11], and has a reported higher risk of depression in the first years after the diagnosis [12]. Disease activity, but not its duration, was associated with depression and anxiety [13].
This is how MS-related head pressure feels to a few MyMSTeam members: “It feels as if my head has a tight band around it and is being squeezed very tightly.” “It's a weird pressure, tightness … almost fizzing, and a fuzzy, brain fog feeling.”
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Studies have shown that MS disrupts several social cognitive abilities [including empathy and theory of mind (ToM)].
While many with MS will experience depression or anxiety at some point, more rarely, some people experience changes to their emotions or behaviour that don't seem to make sense, or that they aren't able to control.
The most commonly proposed primary mechanisms of fatigue in MS involve the immune system or sequelae from central nervous system damage. Specific causes are thought to include proinflammatory cytokines, endocrine influences, axonal loss, and altered patterns of cerebral activation.
The main sign of mild cognitive impairment is a slight decline in mental abilities. Examples include: Memory loss: You may forget recent events or repeat the same questions and stories. You may occasionally forget the names of friends and family members or forget appointments or planned events.
Some people find it more difficult to concentrate for long periods of time or have trouble keeping track of what they are doing if they are interrupted (they 'lose the thread'). It may also be more difficult to do several jobs at once or carry on a conversation while the TV or radio is on.
Commonly cited MS personality changes include social inappropriateness, disinhibition, apathy, emotional lability, and impulsivity.
Experiencing some low-level stress isn't always bad for you, but long-term or excessive stress can affect your health. It may make your symptoms of MS, such as pain, fatigue and depression, seem worse. Learning to manage your stress is an important part of taking control of your condition.
Mental Health Challenges With Myasthenia Gravis. If you have a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (MG), studies show that you have a higher risk of developing depression.
While many with MS will experience depression or anxiety at some point, more rarely, some people experience changes to their emotions or behaviour that don't seem to make sense, or that they aren't able to control.
These include fibromyalgia and vitamin B12 deficiency, muscular dystrophy (MD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), migraine, hypo-thyroidism, hypertension, Beçhets, Arnold-Chiari deformity, and mitochondrial disorders, although your neurologist can usually rule them out quite easily.
In relationships
People with MS and their partners tell us living with the condition can create both physical and emotional barriers, which can put a strain on relationships. For some couples, worries about MS and uncertainty about the future can cause a breakdown in communication and intimacy.
Constant fatigue is common for people with MS. This tiredness can impact all aspects of life, including effective brain use and the ability to go out and partake in activities. The symptoms of MS can cause constant discomfort and disability that limit a person's ability to go about daily activities.
Issues with your bladder or bowel, pain or temperature sensitivity could all cause anxiety or stress at work, and the common MS symptom of fatigue can make tasks seem overwhelming. Issues with memory, thinking or concentration can make it more difficult to focus.
Never Self-Diagnose MS From Anxiety
Unfortunately, anxiety causes many of the same symptoms as the early stages of MS. MS is one of the health issues that comes up most when those with anxiety search for their symptoms online, and millions of those with anxiety convince themselves that they might have MS.