SPEAKER: Living well with MS means taking care of your emotional health too. Many people with MS experience depression at times. Sometimes it's due to an emotional reaction to the ups and downs of MS. But it could also be due to changes in your brain. Doctors can treat MS-related depression with talk therapy or medication. So if you've been feeling down, ask for help from your medical team.

The uncertainty of MS can make you feel uneasy like you dread the day ahead or feel intensely irritable. Anxious people sometimes avoid doing positive activities that can help your MS like exercising or being with friends or even keeping up with medical appointments. That can work against you. So if you notice anxiety is affecting your daily life, talk to your doctor.

If you notice that you seem to have trouble controlling when you laugh or cry, it may be due to a symptom of MS called PDA or Pseudobulbar affect. Well, talk therapy is not effective for this MS symptom. Medication can help. So don't ignore outbursts. Tell your medical team about them.

MS with its unpredictable course could make you feel like you want to retreat. But there are many benefits to seeking out meaningful relationships. Interacting with others like family, friends, and support groups can help you solve problems and make you feel centered and in control. So reach out and stay connected. Your MS team, as well as friends and family, can help you find the support you need. You don't have to go it alone. Speak up if you feel down. It's one of the best things you can do to move towards better emotional health if you have MS.

[MUSIC PLAYING]