Psychic Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Overview

Multiple sclerosis represents the most frequent neurological cause of disability in young and middle age persons. The patient’s psychopathology is not always considered sufficiently. Mental symptoms may deteriorate quality of life, and influence compliance of affected persons with treatment and rehabilitation regime in a negative way. That is why their detection and therapy is necessary. Depression, cognitive impairment, anxiety, pathological cry or laugh, apathy, and psychotic symptoms are the most frequent mental signs of multiple sclerosis. We review these symptoms including possibility of their treatment. Early diagnostics and adequate therapy of the primary disease are basic conditions of a complex treatment success.

Key words:
multiple sclerosis, psychopathology, depression, cognitive impairment.