"Has a mental health professional helped you deal with your MS?" (multiple sclerosis)We asked this in our Spring 1997 issue. Here's what we heard" Everyone who responded was seeing (or had seen) a mental health professional. The majority reported positive experiences: "I learned which feelings of anger and sadness were due to MS and which were due to other life events." "I learned to accept my changing physical condition and to function within my limitations." "I had a place to rage and cry without worrying about the effects on my children and friends." A minority reported mixed feelings; and a very few reported a bad experience. People sought help from psychiatrists This list includes notable psychiatrists. Individuals listed below are all physicians, and are board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, or are members of the American Psychiatric Association, or the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the United Kingdom, or , psychologists This list includes notable psychologists and contributors to psychology, some of whom may not have thought of themselves primarily as psychologists but are included here because of their important contributions to the discipline. , neuropsychologists, social workers, and student counselors. Visits ranged from one to regular appointments over many years. Our readers sought counseling to deal with issues such as depression, fatigue fatigue, in engineering fatigue, in engineering, microscopic cracking of materials, especially metals, after repeated applications of stress. Fissures may be formed within pieces of metal during their manufacture when, while cooling from the molten state, , anxiety, anger, and prior mental health problems agitated ag·i·tate v. ag·i·tat·ed, ag·i·tat·ing, ag·i·tates v.tr. 1. To cause to move with violence or sudden force. 2. by MS. Many also wanted to learn how to accept current and changing physical situations, and how to function within physical limitations. Some Tips for Choosing a Therapist by Dr. Nicholas Nicholas, Russian grand duke Nicholas (Nikolai Nikolayevich) (nyĭkəlī` nyĭkəlī`əvĭch), 1856–1929, Russian grand duke and army officer; first cousin of Czar Alexander III and grandson of Czar G. LaRocca, Director, Health Research & Policy Programs, National MS Society * Get the name of a therapist from a source you trust, doctor, Society chapter, a friend or relative, or a referral service operated by a local professional organization (e.g., the state psychological association). * Call the therapist and explain briefly what you need to discuss, and inquire in·quire also en·quire v. in·quired, in·quir·ing, in·quires v.intr. 1. To seek information by asking a question: inquired about prices. 2. about the therapist's credentials CREDENTIALS, international law. The instruments which authorize and establish a public minister in his character with the state or prince to whom they are addressed. If the state or prince receive the minister, he can be received only in the quality attributed to him in his credentials. and insurance coverage. * Your first appointment is a "test drive" to determine if both of you are comfortable. If both of you are, you can begin work. * You should feel safe, respected, and understood when working with your therapist. If after a number of sessions you do not, discuss this openly and consider a referral to another therapist. |
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