Abstract

Background: Up to half of MS patients experience depression at some point during the disease. Depression is often overlooked and untreated given the symptom’s comorbidity with MS. Studies have demonstrated that depression in MS can negatively impact neurocognitive functions exacerbating the cognitive impact.

Objective: To explore MS patients’ attitudes about mental health to identify possible reasons for lack of mental health treatment.

Methods: A non-experimental, transversal design of an exploratory type was utilized. A total of 80 participants were recruited with a non-probabilistic sample at Fundación de Esclerosis Múltiple de Puerto Rico. Participants were 21 to 65 years old.

Results: A total of 26.3% (n=21) were male and 73.7% (n=59) female; 23.8% (n=19) reported psychological treatment and 31.3% (n=25) reported a diagnosis of depression at some point after the MS diagnosis. A total of 57.5% (n=46) indicated not receiving information from their neurologist about the influence of MS in their mental health and 75% (n=60) said they would visit a psychologist/psychiatrist to positively impact their mental health.

Conclusion: Most MS participants agreed that mental health was of importance and would visit a mental health specialist. Psychoeducation, patient-physician relationship, centered care and integration between specialist are important roles in the overall treatment for MS and depression.