At Can Do MS, we know that the power of knowledge can transform lives and expand beliefs about what is possible.

These articles are written by our nationwide team of program consultants - renowned healthcare professionals dedicated to educating people living with MS and their support partners. You will find valuable information and approaches covering our Six Dimensions of Wellness- Emotional Well-Being, Cognitive Well-Being; Home & Work; Diet, Exercise & Healthy Behaviors; Relationships; and Spirituality.

These articles are provided as general educational resources and should not be interpreted as diagnoses, prognoses, or treatment suggestions. Information and perspectives represent the views of the individual author(s); Can Do Multiple Sclerosis is not responsible for the accuracy or currency of the responses. Readers should consult with their healthcare team.

filtered by: Cognitive Well-Being (remove)

How to Find Support for Your Mental Health

By: Meghan Beier, PhD , Abbey Hughes, PhD

Approximately 50% of people with MS experience changes in mood, including depression and anxiety. At the same time, about two-thirds of people experience changes in cognition, such as “Cog fog” and executive functions. In this article we will explore what types of treatments are there for mood and cognition changes. You and your health care providers will explore what type of psychological or behavioral treatments are right for you.

Shared Decision Making in Multiple Sclerosis

By: Aliza Ben-Zacharia, PhD, DNP, ANP, FAAN, MSCN , Samantha Domingo, PhD

MS can present a slew of challenges to health and wellness. Addressing these challenges requires frequent and often complex decisions. An overwhelming amount of information can make this decision making even more daunting.

Staying Resilient to MS Transitions

By: Matthew Sacco, PhD, Megan Weigel, DNP, ARNP-C, MSCN

The term “resilient” has become increasingly more a part of our mainstream and popular culture vernacular. It is a term that conjures up ideas such as determination, strength, and fortitude. But, when it comes to living with a chronic condition such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), what does resilient really mean? The purpose of this article is to help better understand resilience, how it relates to living with MS, and ultimately how one might improve resilience.

Leisure: Why It's Important & Where You Can Find It

By: Can Do Multiple Sclerosis

Leisure is a domain of life that is very important, particularly for people with neurological disorders. It's important to understand that leisure does not equal laziness- leisure can improve your physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual wellness. Learn about the research being done on the impacts of leisure on MS, as well as resources to understand more about the benefits of leisure and local opportunities to discover new activities and experiences.

05 May Cognition And Relationships Library

It Takes a Village: When Cognition Shifts Roles

By: Meghan Beier, PhD and Darla Freeman MA, CCC/SLP

Approximately 65% of individuals living with multiple sclerosis (MS) will experience cognitive change. This change can occur anytime in the disease. Approximately one-third of individuals experience cognitive difficulties even before they are officially diagnosed. Below we will highlight the domains most commonly impacted by MS, how they can impact relationships, and a few tips for improvement.

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

By: Lynsey Lakin, MSN, NP-C, MSCS & Meghan Beier, PhD

Happy New Year! The first month of the year means it’s time for setting New Year’s Resolutions. This webinar will help you identify wellness goals tailored to your needs and interests. This webinar will also address how to get motivated, as well as how to maintain motivation over time.

Living well with MS means addressing all of your needs. Therefore, we will focus on the physical, cognitive, spiritual, emotional, and psychological aspects of wellness. Join MS Specialist Lynsey Lakin, FNP-C and Psychologist Meghan Beier, PhD for an interactive, goal-directed discussion to begin 2019 living your best possible life with MS.

Relationships & Communication

By: Roz Kalb, Ph.D.- Psychologist and Can Do MS Senior Programs Consultant

When one person is diagnosed with MS, many other people are involved and affected. And the changes brought about by MS can have an impact on those important relationships.

Progressive MS Health & Wellness Resource Guide

By: Denise Bruen, Roz Kalb, and Mandy Rohrig

Gather information about how progressive MS is diagnosed and managed and the important role of overall health and wellness through a variety of articles, booklets, webpages, and videos from Can Do Multiple Sclerosis and the National MS Society.

Cognitive Challenges and MS: What You Need to Know

By: Darla Freeman M.A., CCC/SLP & Juliann Hanson-Zlatev OTR,

Cognitive changes are a common symptom in MS. Up to 65% of people who have a diagnosis of MS also experience cognitive changes. In some cases people may identify cognitive changes as some of the earliest symptoms of M.S they noticed.

Cognitive Rehabilitation in MS: Research Update

By: Abbey J. Hughes, PhD & Pamela H. Miller, MA, CCC-SLP

Cognitive changes are common among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting 40-60% of the MS population. Much like physical MS symptoms, cognitive changes vary widely from person to person. Whereas many individuals with MS experience slowed processing speed as their predominate cognitive difficulty, others may experiences problems across a number of cognitive areas including learning, memory, problem-solving, and word-finding. Given the wide range of cognitive difficulties, treatments for cognitive impairment in MS are not a one-size-fits-all approach.