Anxiety

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) often experience severe fatigue, pain, anxiety, and depression that are not fully captured by standard physical disability tools used in the clinic, a study found. According to the researchers, “disability scores were weakly associated with symptom burden” on the Expanded Disability Status…

It’s a weird feeling, always waiting for the other shoe to drop, knowing there’s a secret assassin lurking in my body. It causes me anxiety. That’s what life is like with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), which I’ve had for 16 years. Lately, though, I’ve been OK, as I…

A six-week psychotherapy program, tailored specifically for people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and delivered via telehealth, helped to ease anxiety and depression in adults with these conditions — with benefits lasting up to three months after treatment. These are the findings of a U.S. pilot clinical trial…

In the last year, I’ve gone from battle to battle, surviving one attack after another of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). I didn’t have time to figure out how all of this made me feel. Instead, I focused on work, the closest thing I have to normal, and put…

During my recent family vacation, I made sure to take several mental pictures of the beach, sunrise, and calming blue skies. Over the past 15 years of living with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), I’ve found it important to incorporate complementary therapies such as visualization, which has gotten me…

Everyone has a breaking point. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by sadness, depression, or anxiety when life’s pressures become too heavy. Those of us who have chronic illnesses have our breaking points, too. As a lifelong patient with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), I’d like to believe it…

As many as half of people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) experience depression, anxiety, and/or sleep problems, according to a new meta-analysis of published studies. Moreover, these symptoms were more frequent among NMOSD patients than in the general population. “There is a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and…

Even though summer isn’t officially over yet, it already feels like the end. This year, I’m feeling a bit emotional about it, and I’m sure my neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has something to do with that. Living with NMOSD has made me hyperaware of the effects of…

I have this recurring dream where I’m trapped in a room. I can hear voices on the other side of the door, so I call out, except my voice feels heavy. The words are caught in my mouth, so no one can hear me. I try to get up. I’m…

Caring for our mental health and pursuing wellness require a lifetime commitment and hard work. It’s sometimes easier said than done, but taking a moment to yourself to reflect on the day, or on a feeling or emotion, can do wonders for your mental health, especially when living with chronic…