Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience mental health comorbidities at a significantly higher rate than the general population. Individuals with MS often utilize maladaptive coping strategies that contribute to distress. Poorly managed stress accelerates the progression of MS, but rehabilitation professionals often neglect to address psychosocial adjustment. Traditionally, behavioral therapists have viewed emotional-based coping as maladaptive, while problem-based coping as adaptive; however, these assumptions do not directly translate to the MS population. Using the five-factor model for psychosocial adjustment in those with MS, occupational therapists can promote resilience through the use of positive coping strategies and social suppoty systems. Mindfulness, a cognitive-behavioral approach, increases self-awareness of emotional reactions, which can influence one’s mindset. If one can shift from a stress-is-debilitating to a stress-is-enabling mindset, one can reframe events from negative to positive. Positive stress offers protection from further lesion development, while negative stress predicts lesion development. With adaptive coping, individuals with MS experience improved quality of life, both physically and mentally.
