Depression and Anxiety in Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Findings Related to Psychiatric Disorships
Abstract views: 19
/ 
PDF downloads: 7
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15709561Keywords:
Anxiety, depression, multiple sclerosis, psychiatric disorders, nervous systemAbstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive neurological disease characterized by demyelination of the central nervous system. MS, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients both physically and psychologically, can negatively affect not only motor and sensory functions but also psychiatric health. Depression and anxiety are psychiatric disorders that are common among MS patients and significantly affect the course of the disease. Studies show that the prevalence of depression in MS patients varies between 30-50% and anxiety is observed in 25-30%. The pathophysiology of MS is associated with the immune system damaging nerve cells and destroying the myelin sheath. This creates significant effects on the central nervous system and can cause functional disorders in brain regions.
Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in MS patients and is observed in 30-50% of patients. It is known that depression worsens the symptoms in MS patients, reduces patients' compliance with treatment, and impairs their general well-being. The relationship between MS and depression is not only related to biological factors but also to psychosocial factors. In particular, the progression of MS and patients' uncertainties about the future can exacerbate depressive symptoms.
Anxiety is the most common psychiatric disorder in MS patients after depression and is usually seen together with depression. The frequency of anxiety in MS patients can directly affect the quality of life of patients. In addition to the damage caused by MS to nerve cells, changes in patients' social lives and uncertainty about the future also play an important role in the emergence of anxiety. Anxiety in MS patients usually manifests itself as worry, restlessness, muscle tension and sleep disorders. These symptoms can significantly complicate patients' daily lives and have negative effects on the treatment process. Therefore, considering psychiatric disorders in the treatment of MS patients is of great importance in terms of the effectiveness of the treatment process.
It can effectively treat depression and anxiety in MS patients. In some studies, these drugs have been found to have a positive effect on mood changes in MS patients. In addition, psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, is used as an important treatment tool in the management of depression and anxiety in MS patients. As a result, depression and anxiety are psychiatric disorders that significantly affect the treatment processes and quality of life of MS patients. These psychiatric symptoms, combined with the neurological effects of MS, can make it difficult for patients to comply with treatment and negatively affect the course of the disease. Early recognition and treatment of depression and anxiety in MS treatment can help improve the general well-being of patients.
This study aims to increase awareness of the need to treat psychiatric disorders by providing a comprehensive review of depression and anxiety in MS patients. It also aims to contribute to the improvement of the general well-being of MS patients by providing important information for the development of more effective methods in the treatment of psychological symptoms.
References
Ascherio, A., & Munger, K. L. (2007). Environmental risk factors for multiple sclerosis. The Lancet Neurology, 6(7), 626-638. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(07)70132-2
Ayache, S. S., & Chalah, M. A. (2017). Fatigue in multiple sclerosis – Insights into evaluation and management. Neurophysiologie Clinique, 47(2), 139–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neucli.2017.03.003
Beier, M., et al. (2017). The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Reducing Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in Multiple Sclerosis Patients. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 23(2), 235-245.
Barin, L., Salmen, A., et al. (2018). The disease burden of Multiple Sclerosis from the individual and societal perspective: An observational study. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 16, 135. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-018-0953-y
Bishop, M., & Rumrill, P. D. (2015). Multiple sclerosis: Etiology, symptoms, incidence and prevalence, and implications for community living and employment. Work, 52(4), 725–734.
Benedict, R. H., et al. (2020). Depression in Multiple Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 32(2), 119-129.
Brown, L. A. B., et al. (2021). Anxiety in Multiple Sclerosis: Impact on Quality of Life and Disease Management. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 27(6), 808-816.
Cao, L., et al. (2019). The Relationship Between Depression and Anxiety in Multiple Sclerosis: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 63, 132-138.
Christogianni, A., Bibb, R., Davis, S. L., et al. (2018). Temperature sensitivity in multiple sclerosis: An overview of its impact on symptomatology and daily life. Journal of Neurology, 265(6), 1327–1335.
Compston, A. (2005). The story of multiple sclerosis. In Brain, 128(Pt 1), 1–13.
Confavreux, C., & Vukusic, S. (2006). Natural history of multiple sclerosis: A unifying concept. Brain, 129(Pt 3), 606–616.
Correale, J., & Villa, A. (2007). The neuroprotective role of inflammation in nervous system injuries. Journal of Neurology, 254(3), iii47–iii60.
Cramer, H., Lauche, R., et al. (2016). Yoga for people with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 11(11), e0159642.
Cusi, D., et al. (2021). Managing Depression in Multiple Sclerosis: Treatment Approaches and Strategies. Neurology and Therapy, 10(1), 125-136.
Davis, S. L., Wilson, T. E., et al. (2018). Heat sensitivity and autonomic dysfunction in multiple sclerosis. Autonomic Neuroscience, 209, 59–65.
Dendrou, C. A., Fugger, L., & Friese, M. A. (2015). Immunopathology of multiple sclerosis. Nature Reviews Immunology, 15(9), 545–558.
DeLuca, J., Chiaravalloti, N. D., & Sandroff, B. M. (2020). Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: Clinical management, MRI, and therapeutic avenues. The Lancet Neurology, 19(10), 860–871.
Doğan, D., Aydoğdu, A., & Gündoğdu, K. (2023). Multiple sklerozda güncel tedavi yaklaşımları. Klinik Nöroloji Dergisi, 26(1), 35–42.
Efendi, S., & Bünül, M. (2020). Multiple skleroz tanı ve tedavi süreci üzerine güncel yaklaşımlar. Güncel Nöroloji Araştırmaları Dergisi, 8(2), 98–105.
Filippi, M., et al. (2018). The Role of MRI in Assessing the Impact of Multiple Sclerosis. Journal of Neurology, 265(3), 391-407.
Ghasemi, N., Razavi, S., & Nikzad, E. (2017). Multiple sclerosis: Pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnoses and cell-based therapy. Cell Journal, 19(1), 1–10.
Giovannoni, G., & Ebers, G. (2007). Multiple sclerosis: The environment and causation. Current Opinion in Neurology, 20(3), 261–268.
Goldenberg, M. M. (2012). Multiple sclerosis review. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 37(3), 175–184.
Hoang, P., Gandevia, S. C., & Herbert, R. D. (2014). Strength training improves strength and walking performance in people with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 20(5), 654–662.
Holloway, R. G., et al. (2020). The Relationship Between Depression and Anxiety and Disease Activity in Multiple Sclerosis. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 81(4), e1-e8.
Jackson, K., Sisto, S., et al. (1995). Walking, balance, and functional mobility in multiple sclerosis. Physical Therapy, 75(3), 245–252.
Kalron, A., Dolev, M., & Menascu, S. (2017). The effect of Pilates intervention on balance and mobility in ambulatory people with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial. Multiple Sclerosis International, 2017, 9121437.
Kamogawa, K., & Okuda, D. T. (2015). Multiple sclerosis: A neuroanatomical perspective. Practical Neurology, 15(3), 186–195.
Katırcı Kırmacı, M., Özkan, B., & Kara, B. (2021). Egzersizin multiple skleroz hastalarında yorgunluk ve denge üzerine etkisi. Fizyoterapi Rehabilitasyon, 32(3), 195–202.
Krupp, L. B., et al. (2018). Fatigue and Depression in Multiple Sclerosis. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, 18(10), 58-65.
Mazumder, R., Siddiqui, M. A., et al. (2014). Balance dysfunction in people with multiple sclerosis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 95(5), 944–951.
Marrie, R. A., et al. (2021). The Impact of Depression and Anxiety in Multiple Sclerosis: A Review of the Literature and Clinical Management. Neurology, 96(5), 191-198.
Miller, A. (2019). Multiple Sclerosis: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment. The Lancet, 394(10206), 161-173.
Mills, E. A., et al. (2019). Long-Term Impact of Depression and Anxiety on Functional Recovery in Multiple Sclerosis. Journal of Neurology, 266(7), 1841-1847.
Miller, D. H., Chard, D. T., & Ciccarelli, O. (2012). Clinically isolated syndromes. The Lancet Neurology, 11(2), 157–169.
Montalban, X., Gold, R., Thompson, A. J., et al. (2018). ECTRIMS/EAN guideline on the pharmacological treatment of people with multiple sclerosis. European Journal of Neurology, 25(2), 215–237.
Motl, R. W., Pilutti, L. A., et al. (2015). Detraining effects in persons with multiple sclerosis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 96(1), 147–153.
Mutluay, F. H. (2006). Egzersizin multiple sklerozlu bireylerde fiziksel ve psikolojik etkileri. Fizyoterapi Bilimleri Dergisi, 18(2), 90–98.
Nielsen, N. M., Jørgensen, K. T., et al. (2005). Socioeconomic factors in multiple sclerosis. Neurology, 65(6), 998–1001.
Okuda, D. T., et al. (2009). Incidental MRI anomalies suggestive of multiple sclerosis: The radiologically isolated syndrome. Neurology, 72(9), 800–805.
Özkan, B., & Ünlüer, N. (2022). Relapsing remitting multiple sklerozlu hastalarda denge, yorgunluk ve core kas gücüne yönelik egzersizlerin etkisi. Fizyoterapi Rehabilitasyon, 33(2), 80–89.
Patten, S. B., et al. (2017). Depression in Multiple Sclerosis: A Review of the Literature. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 23(5), 567-574.
Patti, F., et al. (2018). Multiple Sclerosis and Depression: The Role of Cognitive Dysfunction and Fatigue. Neuropsychology Review, 28(1), 45-52.
Sadovnick, A. D., et al. (2019). The Role of Environmental and Genetic Factors in the Development of Multiple Sclerosis. Journal of Neuroimmunology, 337, 45-52.
Sicotte, N. L., et al. (2016). Psychiatric Morbidity in Multiple Sclerosis: A Review. Current Opinion in Neurology, 29(3), 243-248.
Simpson, D. M., et al. (2020). Psychosocial Interventions for Multiple Sclerosis: An Overview of Systematic Reviews. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 45, 102309.
Thompson, A. J., et al. (2020). Multiple Sclerosis: Diagnosis and Management. The Lancet, 396(10248), 1456-1467.
Treadaway, K. H., et al. (2018). The Impact of Depression and Anxiety on Health-Related Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 23, 31-37.
Ziemssen, T., et al. (2021). Comprehensive Care in Multiple Sclerosis: Managing Psychiatric Co-Morbidities. European Neurology Review, 16(2), 103-110.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 ASES INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND SPORTS SCIENCES (ISSN: 3023-5723)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
