An Approach to the Psychological Aspects of Multiple Sclerosis: A Coping Guide for Healthcare Providers and Families

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis presents patients and their families with an array of issues that affect psychological functioning. This paper addresses some of the more prominent of these issues and offers practical suggestions as to how healthcare providers can help patients and their families cope with these difficulties.

Keywords

Multiple sclerosis Psychology Depression Memory Sexuality.

References

Peyser JM , Edwards KR , Poser CM Psychological profiles of patients with multiple sclerosis: a preliminary investigation. Arch Neurol 1980; 37:437-40.

Hathaway SR , McKinley JC The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Manual. New York: Psychological Corporation, 1967.

Burks J. A dynamic model for understanding the physician's relationship with patients and their families. In: Kalb RC , Scheinberg LC (eds.). Multiple sclerosis and the family. New York: Demos, 1992:25-34.

Herndon RM Cognitive deficits and emotional dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (editorial) . Arch Neurol 1990;47:18.

Rao SM , Leo GJ , Bemardin L. , Unverszagt F. Cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: frequency, patterns, and prediction . Neurol 1991;41.685-91.

Heaton RK , Nelson LM , Thompson DS , Burks JS , Franklin GM Neuropsychological findings in relapsing-remitting and chronic-progressive multiple sclerosis. J Consult Clin Psychol 1985;53: 103-10.

Rao SM , Leo GJ , St. Aubin-Flaubert P. On the nature of memory disturbance in multiple sclerosis. J Clin Exp Psychol 1989;11: 699-712.

Rao SM Neuropsychology of multiple sclerosis: a critical review. J Clin Exp Neurvpsychol 1986;8:503-42.

Rao SM , Huber SJ , Bomstein RA Emotional changes with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. J Consult Clin Psychol 1991.60:369-78.

10.

Minden SL , Schiffer RB Affective disorders in multiple sclerosis: review and recommendations of clinical research. Arch Neurol 1990;47:98-104.

11.

Surridge D. An investigation into some psychiatric aspects of multiple sclerosis. Br J Psychiatry 1969;115:749-64.

12.

Pratt Rtc. An investigation of the psychiatric aspects of disseminated sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1951; 14:326-35.

13.

Kraft GH , Freal JE , Coryell JK Disability, disease duration, and rehabilitation service needs in multiple sclerosis: patient perspectives. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1986;67:164-68.

14.

Mur J. , Kumpel G. , Dostal S. An anergic phase of disseminated sclerosis with psychotic course. Confin Neurol 1986;28:37-49.

15.

Other data (D.M.W., unpublished data, 1993).

16.

Minden SL , Orav J. , Reich P. Depression in multiple sclerosis. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 1987;9:426-34.

17.

Acorn S. , Anderson S. Depression in multiple sclerosis: critique of the research literature. J Neurosci Nurs 1990;22:209-14.

18.

Rabins PV , Brooks BR , O'Donnel P. , et al. Structural brain correlates of emotional disorder and multiple sclerosis. Brain 1986; 109: 585-97.

19.

Schiffer RB , Wineman NM , Weitkamp LR As association between bipolar affective disorder and multiple sclerosis. Am J Psychiatry 1986 ;143:94-95.

20.

Schiffer RB , Weitkamp LR , Wineman N. , Guttomsen S. Multiple sclerosis and affective disorder: family history, sex, and HLA-DR antigens. Arch Neurol 1988;45:1345-48.

21.

Minden SL , Orav J. , Schildkraut JJ Hypomanic reactions to ACTH and prednisone treatment for multiple sclerosis . Neurol 1988;38: 1631-34.

22.

Beck AT , Ward CH , Mendelson M. , Mock J. , Erbaugh J. An inventory for measuring depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1961;4:561-71.

23.

Hamilton M. A rating scale for depression. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1960;26:56-62.

24.

Schiffer RB , Wineman NM Antidepressant pharmacotherapy associated with multiple sclerosis. Am J Psychiatry 1990 ;147: 1493-97.

25.

Long DD , Miller BJ Suicidal tendency and multiple sclerosis. Health Soc Work 1990;16:104-109.

26.

Berman A. , Samuel L. Suicide among people with multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Rehabil 1993;7:53-62.

27.

Kelly DA , Claypoole KH , Coppel DB Sleep apnea syndrome: symptomatology, associated features, neurocognitive correlates. Neuropsychol Rev 1990;1:323-42.

28.

Manon-Espaillate R. , Gothe B. , Ruff RL , Newman C. Sleep apnea in patients with multiple sclerosis: a preliminary investigation. Arch Neurol 1989 ;37:437-40.

29.

Valleroy MC , Kraft GH Sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1984;65:135-38.

30.

Foley FW , Iverson J. Sexuality and multiple sclerosis: In: Kalb RC , Scheinberg LC (eds.). Multiple sclerosis and the family. New York: Demos, 1992:63-82.

31.

Kievman B. , Blackmun S. For Better or worse: a couple's guide to dealing with chronic illness. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 1989 .

32.

Lefebvre KA Sexual assessment planning. J Head Trauma Rehabil 1991;5:25-30.

33.

Cole TM , Cole SS Rehabilitation problems of sexuality in physical disability. In: Kottke FJ , Lehmann JF (eds.). Krusen's handbook of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 4th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1990:988-1008.

34.

Sidi AA , Cameron JS , Duffy LM , Lange PH Intracarvemous drug-induced erections in the management of male erectile dysfunction: experience with 100 patients. J Urol 1986;135:704-706.

35.

Zasler ND , Katz PG Synergist erection system in the management of impotence secondary to spinal cord injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1989;70:712-16.

36.

Sidman JM Sexual functioning and the physically disabled adult. Am J Occup Ther 1977;31:81-85.

37.

Turner LA , Stanley SE , Levine SB , et al. Self-injection of papaverine and phentolamine in the treatment of psychogenic impotence. J Sex Marital Ther 1989;15:163-76.

38.

Kaplan HS The new sex therapy: active treatment of sexual dysfuncrions. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1981 .

39.

Russell R. Sex and couples therapy: a method of treatment to enhance physical and emotional intimacy. J Sex Marital Ther 1990;16:111-20.

40.

Catanzaro M. , Weinert C. Economic status of families living with multiple sclerosis. Int J Rehabil Res 1991;15:209-18.

41.

DesRosier MB , Catanzaro C. Living with chronic illness: social support and the well spouse perspective. Rehabil Nurs 1991;17:87-91.

42.

Stuiferbergen AL Meeting the demands of illness: types and sources of support for individuals with multiple sclerosis and their partners . Rehabil Nurs Res 1992;1:14-23.

43.

Arnaud SH Some psychological characteristics of children of multiple sclerosis. Psychosom Med 1959;21:8-22.

44.

Peters LC , Esses LM Family environment as perceived by children with a chronically ill parent . J Chron Dis 1985;38:301-308.

45.

Miller D. Some effects of multiple sclerosis on parents and children, In: Kalb RC , Scheinberg LC (eds.). Multiple sclerosis and the family. New York : Demos, 1992:9-24.

46.

Other data (M.L.C., unpublished data from the Family Health Study, 1993).

47.

Brooks NA , Matson RR Social-psychological adjustment to multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal study . Soc Sci Med 1982;16:2129-35.