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Living with Multiple Sclerosis
When you get an illness like bronchitis or the flu, you
know you'll be feeling better and functioning normally within
a week or so. A chronic illness, like multiple sclerosis, is
different. It may never go away and can disrupt your lifestyle
in many ways. But, by keeping a positive attitude, you should
be better able to cope with the changes.
How Can I Maintain a Positive Attitude?
MS should not define who you are. You are the
same person you were before you were diagnosed -- you just
have a heavier load to bear. The best thing you can do is to
learn how to make your life better. Here are some tips:
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Get help if you need it. The most important step
you can take is to seek help as soon as you feel less able
to cope. Taking action early will enable you to understand
and deal with the many effects of MS. Learning to
manage stress will help you maintain a positive
physical, emotional, and spiritual outlook on life. A mental
health care provider can design a treatment plan to meet
your specific needs. Strategies can be designed to help you
regain a sense of control over your life and improve your
quality of life. At times, if
depression is present, medications may be ordered to
help lift your mood.
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Find a support group. Support groups can be a
very useful sharing experience. They provide an environment
where you can learn new ways of dealing with your illness.
You may want to share approaches you have discovered with
others. You will also gain strength in knowing that you are
not facing hardships alone.
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Consider counseling. Sometimes people have
problems that are better addressed in a one-on-one
atmosphere. By participating in individual counseling, you
may be able to more effectively express sensitive or private
feelings you have about your illness and its impact on your
life and relationships.
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Take care of yourself. Eat healthy,
exercise, learn techniques to help you deal with
stress better, and get enough rest.
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Keep a diary. Write down your experiences,
symptoms, and feelings. Not only will this be a valuable
tool for your doctor, but it will also help you learn to
express yourself.
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Take control. There is often such a sense of
uncertainty with MS that it may help to take control of the
things in your life that you can control. You should also
consider some of your life-planning issues, such as
finances, work,
adapting your home, and other practical issues. Be
proactive in your health, get educated, and ask questions.
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