Shock, Anger, Denial - Common Reactions to a Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis

Lisa Emrich Living With It Musician, Patient Advocate, and Founder - Carnival of MS Bloggers Lisa Emrich is a professional musician. She happens to live with... Send Message Subscribe: Lisa Emrich

Tuesday, September 16, 2008
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The diagnosis of a life-changing and unpredictable disease, such as multiple sclerosis, often brings with it a myriad of initial reactions, including shock, fear, anger, relief, denial, and disbelief. Each of these reactions are common and completely normal. I often share with newbie MSer...

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MS Diagnosis
Jen
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 06:34 PM

Great article, Lisa.

re: MS Diagnosis
Lisa Emrich
Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 12:54 AM

Thanks Jen.

Untitled Comment
Mandy Crest
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 02:11 PM

"I get by with a little help from my friends."

re: Untitled Comment
Lisa Emrich
Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 12:53 AM

"Mmm I'm gonna to try with a little help from my friends."

Thank you for this!
Merely Me
Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 06:58 PM

yes absolutely...we got through all the grief stages with this and sometimes can experience all of them within the span of a day!

i finally broke down and i am seeing a therapist....he also happens to have MS too...he was recommended by my neurologist. and i am so glad i called.

MS is a tough disease to deal with. There is no way around it.

this October will be the first anniversary of my official diagnosis. not something to celebrate but can i still have a cake?

re: Thank you for this!
Lisa Emrich
Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 12:51 AM

Merely Me,

You don't need an anniversary to have a cake!!

But which day in October? Maybe we share a date. My 'official' day is Oct 15.

Or should I count the day I mentioned numbness and tingling to my doctor? Or should I count the day that I lost my vision? Too many choices

Denial ended
Nadja Tizer
Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 05:40 PM

I am no longer in denial. Now, I'm just trying to get less depressed so I can figure out my life.

re: Denial ended
Lisa Emrich
Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 12:47 AM

Kinda funny. I've found that at different points on this journey, I have traveled through these 'initial reactions' many times. After a period of relative stability when a relapse hits hard, it throws me right back to anger and fear of future, etc.

You are on the right track and I'm confident will be able to work through the dullness, frustrations, and fear. Please know that there are many others who have been right where you are now. You are not alone Nadja. We're here for you.

Denial
Carol Wood
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 01:05 PM

Fantastic, Its great to be able to find something that really describes me to a tee. The denial and copign device is one that I have always used, up until very recently, which has you have put, there comes a time when you need to deal with it, my day was today. anger, tears, disbelief, fear all came today, though in truth probably been building up, knowing that the symptoms have been getting worse. I thought I was abmrmal in my behaviour till I read this article, thankyou.

re: Denial
Lisa Emrich
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 02:32 PM

Oh Carol, you sound completely normal!! I've noticed that I tend to go through the whole cycle once again when a major relapse hits. All of the fear and anger comes right back again. The logical part of the mind says, "you've already dealt with this." And the emotional part of the mind says, "but...but...but this is really BAD and SCARY!!" Dealing with the changing emotions is not easy but is worth it in the end.

Acknowledge those feelings. Let them be, so that they will wash away when ready. I'm so glad that you left this comment. It gives me validation that I'm normal too. Thank you.