Question: What is it? How can I reach a rehabilitation psychologist?

Answer:
Rehabilitation psychologists are professionals who have completed at least a master’s degree in rehabilitation psychology/neuropsychology and specialized in the rehabilitation field. They diagnose and treat individuals dealing with physical, mental, intellectual, and social difficulties and disabilities. The rehabilitation perspective aims to promote emotional well-being and maximize an individual’s functioning despite their limitations. Rehabilitation psychologists take a broad and integrative view of all aspects of life and the individual’s environment concerning their challenges. With the patient’s consent, they may involve family members in therapy or refer them to other community rehabilitation resources, such as rights consultants, physical therapists, and others.

Rehabilitation psychologists work in clinics and hospital departments, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), public and private institutes, and private clinics. You can ask your treating physician for a referral or independently contact rehabilitation psychologists in your area.

Question: The disease affects my behavior. What should I do?

Answer:
There is insufficient information about the specific behavioral changes you are experiencing. In general, multiple sclerosis is a complex disease that can impact behavior and emotions. It’s also important to consider that coping with MS can naturally lead to behavioral changes (e.g., reacting with anger or impatience towards others when in pain or discomfort, experiencing difficulties with focus and attention, or feeling disinterested and fatigued).

As a first step, share the behavioral changes with your treating physician to assess whether they might be linked to the disease and/or medication and whether adjustments in treatment are needed. Additionally, consider seeking psychological support (preferably from professionals with relevant knowledge and experience in MS) to evaluate your mental state and strengthen your ability to cope with the disease and its consequences. Therapy can provide emotional regulation strategies to help manage behavioral changes.

Question: What is recommended for personal well-being when there is regression in physical and mental abilities and loss of work capacity due to the disease?

Answer:
First, it’s important to receive support to process the emotional aspects of the loss and changes in abilities. At the same time, try to identify opportunities within the changes brought by the disease. Sometimes, this can involve developing new skills or interests, building new relationships, or deepening existing ones—with others and yourself. Ultimately, the goal is to create a renewed sense of purpose in life.

For example, if work previously provided self-fulfillment, and you can no longer perform the same job due to physical or cognitive limitations, you can find new ways to achieve self-fulfillment or fulfill other needs, even with the current limitations.

Consider the example of a patient who was a lawyer. Pursuing justice was a core value for them, but due to the disease, they struggled with long hours of focus required for court hearings and reading and had to stop working. They found a new sense of purpose through social activism—volunteering for organizations advocating for civil rights.

The same principle applies to changes in relationships and other areas of life. Each person must find their path and what works for them. It’s recommended to consult a suitable professional who can assist in this process.