Coping with Cognitive Changes &
Emotional Aspects of MS
presentations by Dr. Jennifer Rodgers
An education session
offered by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, British Columbia & Yukon Division at the 2008 Conference and Annual General Meeting.
November 15, 2008
Tips for Coping with Cognitive Problems
Adapted from Memory and thinking – MS Essentials (May, 2008)
Difficulties with memory:
Use “memory aids” to remind yourself of things:
- Keep a notebook with you and jot things down.
- Learn to use a daily diary and write down things that need to be done during the day. Get into a regular routine of checking the diary, such as at meal times or first thing in the morning.
- Use a calendar, wall planner, memo-board.
Stick post-it notes in places you will see them to remind you to do things.
- Keep a personal organizer/file in which you can keep addresses, phone numbers, bills, diary, shopping lists, to do lists, driving directions, etc.
- Computers have organizer programs that can store huge amounts of information.
- Electronic organizers can be carried around and may be easier than having lots of pieces of paper. They can also be set to beep to remind you to do certain things at set times.
- Set an alarm clock to remind you to do something.
- Keep a message book by the telephone.
- Use a tape recorder to store reminders, rather than writing them down.
Make up mnemonics (rhymes, rules or phrases to help you remember things).
Use visual imagery – make up pictures to tell a story, visualize the information you wish to recall. For example, don’t just learn the directions to the library, picture the route.
Repeat information and write down the important points.
Get organized:
- Have set places for things such as keys or scissors, which are easily misplaced, and encourage family members to make sure things are put back in their correct place.
- Try to establish routines to do things so you will have less to remember.
Difficulties with attention and concentration
If you lose track of what you’re doing when you are interrupted:
- Try to reduce the number of distractions when you are talking to someone or working on a particular task. Turn off the TV or radio and do one thing at a time.
- Try to work in a private room, so there are fewer distractions.
- Put the telephone onto voicemail while you’re dealing with a task, so you are not constantly interrupted.
If you find it difficult to concentrate for longer periods, try to take the effects of tiredness and fatigue into account:
- Plan activities so that you do the most demanding work at your best times.
- Try not to place big demands on your concentration when you are feeling tired.
- Pace yourself.
- Schedule rest periods.
Difficulties with mental spee
- Give yourself longer to take in and retrieve new information.
- Tell people that you may be slower, but that you will get there in the end.
- Try to plan ahead as much as possible – to avoid situations where you will have to think on your feet.
Difficulties with problem solving
Try to be systematic
- If you plan your daily activities systematically, this may improve both your ability to get an overview and your ability to concentrate and remember. Many of the tips listed under “difficulties with memory and concentration” are very useful.
- Use a calendar for planning the day/week – perhaps together with your partner
- Make checklists to help you work your way through complex tasks
Tell your family and friends that you feel better if things are planned in advance, e.g., visits, going out, etc. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Difficulties with word finding
- Tell your family members and friends about your word finding problems.
- Tell them how you would like them to react – to help or not to help.
The effect of memory and thinking problems on other people
When someone with MS has cognitive difficulties, their family and friends may have no idea what their loved one is experiencing. They may get angry and frustrated as well as worried and afraid. Once they understand and accept what is happening, life often gets easier again.
Here are some situations that can often arise for people with MS and their friends and family:
- Someone who knows you well may “fill in” for you when you forget something or don’t answer a question right away. You may be comfortable with this, or not. It is important to tell other people how you would like them to react.
- Other people may get frustrated when you don’t answer a question as quickly as you did before, or if you give a confusing answer.
- They may think you don’t care about them if you forget to ask about something important.
- If you are angry about what is happening to you, you may take your anger out on them without realizing you are doing it.
- Other people may become angry, depressed or anxious about your cognitive problems and be afraid of losing you. This may make them irritable or withdrawn.
- Other people may not understand why some days you seem to have no cognitive difficulties and on other days you do.
It is important to educate family and friends as best as you can to help them better understand how MS is affecting you cognitively and emotionally.
Resources:
The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation: Emotion and Cognition. Download pdf
The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation: Focus on the Family. Download pdf
Other resources can be found in this short list. Download pdf.
