Depression is the commonest psychiatric manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS), but remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Perhaps half of the number of patients with MS have depression. Major depression in patients with MS does not relate directly to disability progression or to longer disease duration. The reported risk factors are female sex, age below 35 years, family history of major depression and a high stress levels.
Patients with MS also experience fatigue and cognitive dysfunction, both of which can worsen depression and be worsened by depression. The negative feelings of depression can lead people to overestimate their cognitive difficulties and fatigue. Depression can also compromise adherence to disease-modifying drugs. (Pract Neurol. 2014;14(4):206-209)
Please seek treatment if you experience MS and depression.