Helping people adjust to life with MS

Angeliki is a researcher and Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology. She’s been involved in MS research for over 10 years – ever since she came to the UK from Greece to do a master’s degree in health psychology.

It was a revelation to speak to her about her research. Her work is different as it doesn’t look at the physical aspects of MS, but the enormous psychological impact MS can have. She told me all about her research looking at the impact of being first diagnosed with MS, transitioning from relapsing to progressive MS, and how to cope with it.

Impact of MS diagnosis on family

Angeliki’s research career was kick-started with funding from the MS Society. This helped her to do a PhD and research Fellowship. She interviewed the families of people with MS to see how diagnosis had impacted them.

She found there can be a big difference between how the person diagnosed responds compared to their family members. Family can often feel isolated, wanting to look for support and information. And to tell other people straight away. Whereas sometimes the person with MS may want to learn to cope with their diagnosis in private.

Angeliki explained there can also be feelings of guilt in family members. I remember when I was diagnosed, my mother immediately wondered if it was because of something she’d done, but of course it wasn’t.

Coping with a progressive MS diagnosis

MS comes with much uncertainty, which makes it even more challenging to adjust to psychologically. Angeliki's research has shown people with progressive MS in particular are at higher risk of developing psychological issues including anxiety and depression.

So Angeliki’s recent research has been looking at what people with primary progressive MS can do to help them to adjust to their diagnosis. After returning from a career break to have her two children, Angeliki is picking up where she left off. And she hopes to publish the results on this soon.

Personalised psychological support

Angeliki said the more we discover, the more we can personalise interventions. Her plan is to use her research to create a psychological care package that can be adapted to people’s personal needs. For example, some people might be dealing with uncertainty, while others might need social support. This aspect is important, as she explained the more tailored an intervention is, the more successful it will be.

Angeliki’s advice on adjusting to diagnosis

Angeliki said the better you’re able to manage the psychological impact of MS, the better you’re able to manage the physical impact. Here are some of the tips she’s discovered through her research:

• Take a flexible approach to issues and challenges - look at different ways of overcoming problems because some can’t be solved in a practical way
• Get involved with the MS Society and other organisations. Sharing your time and getting in touch with people (not only people with MS) can give a new perspective and bring enjoyment
• Practice mindfulness and meditation – Angeliki’s research showed this could reduce distress for some people

There are many ways to approach a long-term health condition like MS, but Angeliki’s fascinating work gives some very important insight and hope for the future.

Find out more about MS diagnosis and support available