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Is Depression a Common Symptom or Co-Condition of Multiple Sclerosis?

Is Depression a Common Symptom or Co-Condition of Multiple Sclerosis? (0:43)

Depression is common among multiple sclerosis patients, says neurologist Charles Smith, MD. It's not known whether depression is part of the progression of multiple sclerosis or a reaction to the stress of coping with the disease.

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So depression is a common problem that we encounter, and MS physicians are particularly attuned to this because it's certainly a treatable problem. Whether or not the depression is part of the MS process or a reaction to the fact that they have a disabling or potentially disabling condition, treatment is basically the same, medication, counselling or a combination.