Living with an MPD: the emotional impact

People with MPDs and other chronic conditions vary widely in their reactions to the disorder - responses are very individual. Many people find that the illness has little impact on their lives, and they cope well. For others, having an MPD can cause a variety of problems.

MPDs are chronic illnesses which can be life-threatening. If you are facing one of these disorders, you may feel depressed or fluctuate into and out of depression. Although some patients do well, some find themselves coping with a huge and increasing set of potential losses: loss of autonomy, loss of physical control, emotional loss.

Simply living with the threat of premature death can be a major source of anxiety for some patients. This threat can at times cause people to behave in strange and irrational ways.

If you have an MPD, you may experience a variety of stresses, including:

• Uncertainty about the future
• Difficult treatment options
• Unpleasant symptoms
• Loss of control
• Changes in self image
• Potentially difficult pregnancies
• Possible inability to have children
• Problems maintaining relationships
• Threat to life

Changes in your treatment, alterations in the level of your condition and personal transitions can all affect your ability to cope with a chronic illness.

Many patients analyse the costs and benefits of treatment options: If the treatment is going to make me feel worse than the illness itself, is it worth taking the medication? If the medication has to be administered via injection, you may find needles difficult to cope with. This creates extra challenges as you work to find an effective treatment.

Please click on the next link to read more about emotional aspects of MPDs and positive approaches to care.

Next: The invisible nature of chronic Illness