DEPRESSION, COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND SOCIAL STRESS IN MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

Twenty-four out-patients with established multiple sclerosis (MS) who had been neurologically assessed underwent detailed psychiatric, cogni tive and social assessments. Depression was associated with significan t cognitive impairment and with social stress but not with degree of n eurological impairment, specific neurological symptoms, disability or handicap. It is suggested that depression in relapsing-remitting MS ma y arise when cognitive deficits cause problems in occupational perform ance and impinge on close personal relationships.