Orbi webinar series: navigating uncertainty with MS
In this webinar, Dr Joanna Hudson will explore why uncertainty can have such a powerful impact on our wellbeing and introduce practical, evidence-based approaches for navigating it.
Join us on Wednesday 19 August at 12.30pm for the next session in the Orbi Webinar Series, delivered in partnership with King's College London.
Some questions don't have immediate answers:
- Will my symptoms stay the same?
- Am I making the right treatment decision?
- Will I still be able to do the things that matter to me next year?
For many people living with MS, these questions don't arise once. They become recurring thoughts that can occupy hours of mental energy, even when there is no clear answer yet.
Trying to prepare for every possibility, searching for certainty, or repeatedly imagining different outcomes are all understandable responses. Yet over time, they can leave us feeling more anxious, less confident, and no closer to the answers we're looking for.
In this webinar, Dr Joanna Hudson will explore why uncertainty can have such a powerful impact on our wellbeing and introduce practical, evidence-based approaches for navigating it. Together, we'll discuss how to distinguish between situations we can problem solve and those where the most helpful response is learning how to live alongside uncertainty rather than trying to eliminate it.
Professor Rona Moss-Morris will support the session, drawing on her extensive research in health psychology and joining the discussion and audience.
What we'll cover
During this session, we'll explore:
- why uncertainty is a natural part of living with MS
- why our minds often respond by searching for answers, imagining different outcomes, or trying to prepare for every possible scenario
- common responses to uncertainty, including repeatedly searching for answers, avoiding difficult thoughts and feelings, and getting caught in recurring "What if...?" thoughts
- how to recognise when problem solving is helpful and when it may be keeping us stuck
- a practical, evidence-based approach to problem solving
- the Uncertainty Tree, a simple framework that helps distinguish between situations that require action and those where different coping strategies may be more helpful
- how mindfulness can help us stay present rather than becoming consumed by uncertainty about the future
Get the most from the webinar
To personalise your experience, we recommend downloading Orbi before the webinar and completing:
- Getting Started
- Map My LTC
These sessions help you build your Personal Model, making it easier to relate the ideas discussed during the webinar to your own experiences.
This is entirely optional. You're very welcome to attend whether or not you've used Orbi before.
Who should attend?
This webinar is suitable for:
- people living with MS
- family members and carers
- healthcare professionals supporting people living with MS
- anyone interested in evidence-based approaches to supporting wellbeing alongside long-term conditions
We look forward to welcoming you to the next session in the Orbi Webinar Series.
What will I need to take part?
All you need to join in is a laptop, tablet, smart phone or computer with a stable internet connection to use Zoom, the video meeting software that we use.
How do I join the webinar?
Before the event, you'll receive emails from the LivingWell team and Eventbrite, which will have the link to the webinar. You can follow this link when the webinar is due to start. Alternatively, you can access it through your Eventbrite account.
When I join the webinar, can other people see or hear me?
No, you can’t be seen or heard by other participants.
Can I ask questions?
Yes, you’ll be able to ask questions when you register, but also during the event via the Q and A typed chat function. Please note we can’t respond to or offer advice on questions about your specific circumstances or anything relating to your own personal health.
What if I haven’t been sent the link?
Reminder emails are sent to everyone who completes the registration form on Eventbrite and books a place, so please enter your email address carefully when registering. The email we send might go into your spam or junk folder, so please check before the sessions start that you can find it. Alternatively, you can access the link by logging into your Eventbrite account.
What should I do if I can no longer attend?
Don't worry if you can't make it on the night. If you've registered, you'll get a recording of the webinar to watch in your own time.
