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Counselling
Because it is known that MS can cause much distress to both the sufferer and his/her family, an increasing number of Centres offer confidential face-to-face counselling to help deal with the emotional effects and concerns which living with MS (or living with an MS person) can bring.
It is recognised that mind and body are inseparable, what affects one invariably affects the other. Hence it is equally as important to provide help and support for the emotional aspects of MS as for the physical effects and the symptoms.
That emotional stress often manifests itself in body symptoms is a medically recognised fact, similarly that illness and body changes have an effect upon feelings and emotions. When MS is newly diagnosed, or new symptoms appear, it is especially important to avoid a "downward spiral" in which feelings about the body cause emotional disturbance which in turn may worsen the body conditions.
The thoughts and feelings that MS provokes can be difficult to handle within the family situation where each member is affected in different ways. Confidential counselling provided by a qualified professionally trained Counsellor, offers time and space for these feelings and concerns to be identified, considered, explored, evaluated and understood and to help people get back in touch with a better sense of themselves.
Counselling at a Centre involves meeting with the same Counsellor regularly for as long as it continues to be helpful. Weekly or fortnightly meetings are typical and sessions will be usually of one hour each. Sessions provide a safe, calm and non-critical environment where problems can be thought through and progress made toward working them out.
Telephone Helplines
Telephone counselling provides a 24-hour helpline available in crisis or times of unexpected stress when it is important to talk to someone who knows about and understands MS. It will of course not necessarily be the same Counsellor answering the telephone every time.
MS NATIONAL COUNSELLING
24 hour telephone helpline
020 8422 2144
Above all, there is enormous value and comfort to be gained by simply coming to a Centre and meeting and talking to other men and women who share the same problems and experiences as yourself. A positive attitude to managing MS is an essential ingredient for success in dealing with the disease - generating this is much easier with such friendly associations.
Welfare
The practical problems that MS causes in the lives of you and your family can often be eased by obtaining advice on welfare rights and facilities to help in disability.
Centres are able to provide MS people with guidance and the information they need to access the various forms of assistance obtainable (including statutory aid from, for example, the DSS (United Kingdom only) both locally and nationally.
Ask your Centre first, they may have the answer from the accumulated knowledge of dealing with MS questions over many years and from keeping up to date with changes in the ‘rules’.
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