Investigation of Stress-Related Disorders in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Existing studies indicate that individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience significant psychosocial stressors, often leading to decreased self-esteem and impaired future planning capabilities. Stress and psychological pressures can exacerbate the disease, underscoring the established correlation between physical and mental well-being. This highlights the critical need for interventional strategies to mitigate stress and anxiety in managing the physical and psychological challenges associated with MS. Stress reduction in MS patients is generally associated with increased energy levels, improved capacity for physical and cognitive activities, and a positive impact on overall quality of life. Therefore, this study aims to assess stress-related disorders in MS patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study included MS patients from Tabriz, Iran, who attended the Sheikh al-Reyes Specialized MS Clinic at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Participants were enrolled based on pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collected included age, gender, marital status, educational level, MS type, medication regimen, and scores from the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) to evaluate post-traumatic stress. Results: The study found a mean PTSD score of 43.85 ± 37.5 in MS patients, indicating moderate to severe stress levels. Of the 125 participants, 64.4% (58 individuals) exhibited moderate to severe symptoms, while only 4.8% (6 individuals) displayed very severe symptoms.