It’s natural to feel anxious, frustrated, or depressed after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This is why it’s a good idea to talk to your loved ones. They can give you any support or help you need. Make a list of all the people you want to tell. You can talk to them all at the same time or individually. The decision is entirely yours.

It’s not easy to tell your loved ones that you have a chronic illness. Take your time. You don’t have to feel pressured to cover everything you have to say in a single conversation. Keep in mind they are very likely to have questions for you. They might also need some time to process the news.

Your loved ones should understand that multiple sclerosis affects people differently. Let them know which symptoms you have. Tell them you might have cognitive limitations down the road that affect your memory, mood, and way of being. These limitations can make you appear careless or indifferent. Remind them that, despite everything, you are still the same person you were before you were diagnosed.

After learning you have multiple sclerosis, some of your relatives are likely to feel surprised, shocked, uncomfortable, fearful, tearful, or angry. Give them a moment to take in the news and respond. They could have several questions for you, they might not have anything to say, or they might say something inappropriate. If they do, try not to take it to heart.

Your loved ones might not know how to give you help or support. Don’t expect them to guess what you need. Tell them exactly how they can help, whether it’s driving you to your appointments or helping you clean your home. Also, remember that several symptoms of multiple sclerosis are not visible. Let your family know if you’re feeling numb or fatigued. Otherwise, they may not realize you need help.

Multiple sclerosis can affect your mood. For example, it’s natural to feel moody and cranky when you find out you have multiple sclerosis. Yet, moodiness and crankiness can also be symptoms of the disease. Multiple sclerosis affects the part of the brain that controls emotions. It’s important for your loved ones to understand this fact beforehand so they can tolerate it more easily.

It’s a good idea to let one of your loved ones go with you to your medical appointments. Having the company might help you avoid feeling bored or nervous while you sit in the waiting room. Your loved one can also take notes so you can remember everything the doctor tells you, or ask your doctor questions to learn more about the disease and how it affects you.

Some of your loved ones may be curious about topics you might prefer not discussing yet, or become a little overprotective of you. Whatever the case, if your family’s behavior makes you feel uncomfortable, don’t stay quiet. Be honest if you’re not ready to talk about a certain thing. Let them know exactly what kind of support you'd prefer to receive from them so there are no misunderstandings.

A support group can be a good idea for the whole family. You can all meet other families going through similar experiences. You can improve your quality of life by learning strategies for managing certain symptoms and getting tips for adjusting to life after a diagnosis. Support groups meet at community centers, libraries, and churches and are available at certain hospitals and clinics.

No specific diet can help control multiple sclerosis symptoms. Still, several specialists recommend eating a healthy diet for the sake of your overall well-being. It’s much easier to eat a healthy, fruit-rich diet when you have the support of your family. You can cook together and cut out processed foods and foods high in sodium or added sugar.