How Psychotherapy Can Help Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Multiple sclerosis (MS) leaves a lasting physical and mental impact on a person. While it is vital to treat the physical symptoms that characterize the disease, it is equally as important to treat the mental challenges.
That is why we want to examine how psychotherapy can help MS patients.
Psychotherapy for multiple sclerosis patients
We discussed in a previous article how MS can affect patients’ emotions. There are many experts who believe multiple sclerosis changes the brains chemistry.
The January 2014 issue of Human Brain Mapping showed that the hippocampus could be significantly smaller in MS patients, showing several forms of depression.
The hippocampus helps to regulate mood. Therefore, when the study conducted MRI brain scans of 109 women with MS, it revealed a direct correlation.
According to research conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, psychotherapy helped provide “greater optimism and physical improvements.â€Â
Trained professionals are becoming increasingly interested in using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for helping those afflicted with MS because it is one of the most proven methods.
CBT helps patients redirect their anger and harmful emotions, so they can instead be applied towards goal-oriented solutions. The goals are created by the patient and doctor at the beginning of each session.
Doing this empowers the patient to apply solutions in their everyday lives.
These goals allow individuals with MS to live more fulfilling lives.
Take Richard Cohen, for example. He is the husband of talk show host, Meredith Vieira. Despite having MS for 25 years he has become an Emmy Award winning writer.
By not allowing the disease to define his life, he has gone on to impact many with his words.
Others do this by focusing on the goals that enable them to experience a greater sense of wholeness. CBT provides structure and focus that often is lost when patients are diagnosed with MS.
It starts them on a lifelong process to improve their mental well-being. Treatment of MS doesn’t happen overnight; it occurs slowly over time. Do not get frustrated after the first few sessions if you don’t experience immediate results.
Forge ahead and continue to make positive changes discussed here in this article.
Final Thoughts
Multiple sclerosis does not have to be debilitating like it was 30 years ago. Medical advances and current therapeutic treatments can now help patients live more satisfying  lives.
To do that, however, you have to shift your mindset. Developing and attaining goals can be a vital step in the process.
Remember, you do not have to do this alone. Feel free to contact us at 847-824-8366 to find out how we can help you begin this process.
