As a clinical psychologist diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in I have gained a unique insight into ways in which people living with MS and clinicians can usefully integrate evidence-based lifestyle modifications that enhance self-efficacy and self-management to improve wider psychological and physical health.
The framework presented here enables clinicians to engage in salutogenic health promotion by placing value upon the importance of healthy, evidence-based behavior change. Furthermore, the framework provides a structure which can empower and provide guidance for people living with MS on what and how to implement and sustain behavior change and emotional wellbeing in the face of this life-changing diagnosis. Multiple Sclerosis MS is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system and it is most frequently diagnosed in young adulthood.
With 2. If services are to promote and support healthy behavior change among this rapidly growing group of patients, improved methods to help patients and clinicians understand and utilize evidence-based interventions and research to mobilize self-management, are desperately needed. As a clinical psychologist with experience of working in the National Health Service I understand first-hand the challenges faced by services in promoting behavior change.
However, it was not until I was diagnosed with MS, in that I was able to experience for myself the lack of information and encouragement patients receive in relation to making the lifestyle changes research suggests could benefit their symptoms and disease progression.
This lack of information and support undoubtedly heightens patient anxiety and leaves them feeling disempowered; both of which contribute to stress-related illness Theoharides and Cochrane, and reduce the likelihood of positive behavior change in health interventions McGrady et al.
