Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD

MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer

Barry Hendin, MD

Question: What should care partners do if they suspect depression in their loved one with MS, and what are the treatment options?

Answer: Like other medical illnesses, depression is often a shared experience between the person experiencing it and their care partner. It’s helpful to be an empathetic listener and supporter, rather than believing that it’s up to you to fix it.

If there is mild depression, you can suggest professional support and evaluation. This may involve one’s primary care physician, a counselor, a psychologist, or neurologist. Having an emphasis on wellness, including exercise, healthy eating, sufficient sleep, and maintenance of a regular schedule, can help. It’s also important that care partners remember the importance of self-care, including their own psychological well-being!

If depression is diagnosed, treatment is usually initiated by the treating physician or by a psychiatrist or psychologist. Treatments may include an antidepressant medication, talk therapy with a psychologist, and lifestyle changes focusing on wellness. Emerging therapies include ketamine and transcranial magnetic stimulation. If the depression is severe or includes suicidal ideation, an emergency evaluation is critical. [Editor’s note: Anyone having thoughts about suicide should immediately contact a mental health professional. The number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).]

Depression and anxiety are common in MS. Thankfully, these conditions are treatable if addressed by the patient or by the care partner. Your neurologist or primary care doctor may observe these conditions independently, but that isn’t always the case. Speak up if you’re concerned!

For more information, please visit MSAA’s website section focusing on depression.

Stay updated on MSAA news, including new Ask the Expert posts!

Barry A. Hendin, MD, is a neurologist and Director of the Arizona Integrated Neurology MS Center. He is also Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at Banner University Medical Center and Clinical Professor of Neurology at the University of Arizona Medical School.

MSAA’s Ask the Expert series recently received an APEX Award for Best Series of Blog Posts as well as a Merit Award from the 26th Annual Digital Health Awards!