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.
Can anxiety be a symptom of MS?
Anxiety. Approximately
half
of people who have MS and depression also experience anxiety . But anxiety can also occur independently without depression. Anxiety disorders are three times more common in MS than in the general population.
Can stress and anxiety cause MS like symptoms?
Can stress cause MS? There
is no definitive evidence to
say that stress is a cause for MS. Stress can, however, make it difficult for a person to manage MS symptoms. Many patients also report that stress triggered their MS symptoms or caused a relapse.
Can stress trigger MS symptoms?
Having a chronic disease like MS can establish a new source of stress. But stress can stem from other sources too, including work, personal relationships, or financial
worries
. Too much stress may worsen your MS symptoms.
What does MS anxiety feel like?
Mood changes
These feelings will likely ebb and flow over the course of the disease. Worry, fear,
moodiness
, irritability and anxiety: normal reactions in the face of unpredictability; anyone can become irritable and anxious when faced with difficult challenges. Depression: one of the most common symptoms of MS.
What are the four stages of MS?
- Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) This is the first episode of symptoms caused by inflammation and damage to the myelin covering on nerves in the brain or spinal cord. …
- Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) …
- Secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) …
- Primary-progressive MS (PPMS)
When should you suspect multiple sclerosis?
People should consider the diagnosis of MS if they have one or more of these symptoms:
vision loss in one or both eyes
.
acute paralysis in the legs
or along one side of the body. acute numbness and tingling in a limb.
How do you know if MS is progressing?
- There's less time between MS flare-ups. …
- You're always exhausted. …
- You feel more weakness and stiffness. …
- You have trouble walking. …
- You're experiencing “bathroom problems.” …
- You're struggling with “brain fog” and mood changes.
What does MS brain fog feel like?
Frequently referred to as “brain fog” or “brain fatigue,” the condition is an episode
of mental confusion that often strikes without warning
. When it happens, patients may experience a lack of focus, poor memory or overall reduced cognition.
How long does MS take to disable you?
Most symptoms develop abruptly, within hours or days. These attacks or relapses of MS typically reach their peak within a few days at most and then resolve slowly over the next several days or weeks so that a typical relapse will be symptomatic for
about eight weeks
from onset to recovery. Resolution is often complete.
What should I avoid with multiple sclerosis?
It's recommended that people with MS avoid certain foods, including
processed meats
, refined carbs, junk foods, trans fats, and sugar-sweetened beverages.
Does MS happen suddenly?
Most commonly, MS starts with a vague symptom that disappears completely within a few days or weeks.
Symptoms can appear suddenly
and then vanish for years after the first episode, or in some cases never reappear. The symptoms of MS vary greatly and can range from mild to severe. Most people suffer minor effects.
What illness can mimic anxiety?
Some medical disorders that may present as anxiety include
Cushing disease
, diabetes mellitus, parathyroid disease (hyperparathyroidism, pseudo-hyperparathyroidism), pancreatic tumors, pheochromocytoma, pituitary disease, and thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis).
Can you have MS for years and not know it?
Benign MS can't be identified at the time of initial diagnosis
; it can take as long as 15 years to diagnose. The course of MS is unpredictable, and having benign MS doesn't mean that it can't progress into a more severe form of MS.
Can I test myself for MS?
With multiple sclerosis (MS),
self-diagnosing is not the way to go
. This disease may cause permanent damage even in its earliest stages so it's crucial to get it properly diagnosed as soon as possible. A doctor is critical for this method.
What happens with untreated MS?
And if left untreated, MS can
result in more nerve damage and an increase in symptoms
. Starting treatment soon after you're diagnosed and sticking with it may also help delay the potential progression from relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) to secondary-progressive MS (SPMS).
