Effects of Written Emotional Expression on Anxiety and Depression in patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis [MS] is an acquired chronic neurological disease that it's prevalence is more in some areas of Iran like Azerbaijan and Isfahan Of it's significant features is that most patients are young adults and it's disabling nature. Psychiatric disorders such as Depression and anxiety are seen in MS patients considerably. Written Emotional Expression [WEE] is one of cost-effective self helper methods that its efficacy has been studied on mental and physical health and survival in chronic patients. This method is not studied on MS patients. Yet Study of effects of WEE on Anxiety and Depression and General health score in MS patients. Methods & materials: This study has been done in ''CLINICAL TRIAL'' and before-after method, on patients with (MS) coming to RAZI HOSPITAL,MS ASSOSIATION,HELAL E AHMAR CENTER in TABRIZ,IRAN within (2004-6). After getting written consents from patients, candidates were asked to complete first GHQ questionnaire and then write negative feelings and emotions about a traumatic event, 30 minutes a day for continuous 4 days. After 15 days they were wanted to complete another GHQ questionnaire. Finally Data of questionnaire were analyzed. Depression and anxiety and GHQ scores are higher in MS patients. Mean of depression and anxiety and social function and GHQ scores of [WEE] was significantly better than before WEE (P< 0.05). WEE was more effective in high scores of depression and anxiety on GHQ. (p<0.05). WEE efficacy was not dependent in sex and age of patients. But candidates with high level education benefited more than others from WEE. Written emotional expression is effective on GHQ and depression and anxiety scores in patients with MS especially in high scores.