A MAN who lives with MS is urging others to ask for help if they are struggling with their mental health.

Scott Burgess, from East Dunbartonshire, said counselling and antidepressants got him through the difficult first few months after his diagnosis.

Prior to this, he had been regularly active with hobbies including martial arts, hillwalking and running and he was worried that he would have to give up the activities he loved, which significantly affected his mental well-being.

Glasgow Times:

Scott, who is vice chair of the MS Society’s Scotland Council, said: “Following my diagnosis my mental health plummeted.

"Negative thoughts were like a snowball rolling down a hill. I was having regular meltdowns, fearing for the future. I didn’t know where to turn, so I went to my doctor and explained my situation."

The 49-year-old was sceptical about the treatment at first but soon changed his mind.

He said: “I had the image of sitting on a couch talking about my childhood. I feared I would become dependent on medication. I was in a spiral of negative thinking, worrying about the very things that might reduce my worrying about MS.

“The antidepressants were quite a low dose but it turned out to be enough. Gradually I began to feel less anxious about MS. I wasn’t having the daily waves of anxiety. The tablets were doing their job.

“The 12 weeks passed until I had my first counselling appointment. I was nervous, as if going into an exam. There was no need to worry. My counsellor was friendly and understanding. She listened as I emptied my head of worries and we had our starting point.”

READ NEXT: Glasgow woman takes a stand against MS to live active lifestyle

This week is MS Awareness Week 2023 and the Bearsden local is encouraging anyone who is struggling mentally to ask for support.

Glasgow Times:

He explained that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helped him break down the overwhelming problems into smaller parts.

He added: “Looking back five years, I’m so glad I took that step and asked for help. It was a tough time, full of both real and imagined challenges. Had I not done something, those first months could have been far worse.

“Is an MS diagnosis bad? Undoubtedly. It is a life-altering condition. Counselling may not be the answer for everyone, but if you are struggling to deal with the diagnosis, I would encourage you to try it.

"Don’t let negative perceptions or a sense of embarrassment stop you. There is nothing to be ashamed of.

“Dealing with an MS diagnosis and living with the condition can be difficult. Sometimes we all need a little help. Just don’t be afraid to ask.”

More than 15,000 people in Scotland live with MS. It damages nerves in the body making it difficult to do everyday things like walk, talk, eat and think.

Morna Simpkins, director of MS Society Scotland, said: “MS is relentless, painful and disabling. It is also unpredictable and different for everyone. For many people, living with a long-term health condition like MS has a negative impact on their mental well-being. It’s important we talk about our mental health and seek help when we need it.

“This MS Awareness Week we’re encouraging people to talk about how their MS makes them feel, think or act. If you feel comfortable doing so, you can join in with our social media campaign and help raise awareness of the reality of life with MS.”