Support groups, especially when you’re first diagnosed, can be overwhelming and even frightening if the people around you aren’t in a place where they can offer hope or positivity. When you’re first diagnosed with this unpredictable illness, you want to connect with people who understand, but you also need some kind of light at the end of the tunnel, not just stories of suffering.

Support groups should definitely be a place where you can gain not just empathy, but also information, perspective, and a sense of community. What you’re looking for is a balance of real talk by acknowledging the struggles that come with MS but also sharing strategies for coping, thriving, and managing the condition in a way that helps you feel empowered.

So, what are the things we should seek in a support group, here are a few key aspects:

  1. Hope and Positivity: You want to surround yourself with people who remind you of the great advances in treatments, research, and lifestyle adjustments that make living with MS more manageable. There’s a lot to be optimistic about these days!
  2. Shared Experiences: A support group is a place to connect with others who understand and empathize with your challenges, but also to hear from people who might be in a different phase of their journey. Whether they’re managing well or facing new challenges, hearing similar and different perspectives can help you feel less isolated.
  3. Practical Tips and Strategies: Now that there’s more information available about healthy lifestyles, nutrition, exercise, and stress management, you want to find a group that shares tangible and practical advice that can help you take control of your life in ways that are empowering.
  4. Encouragement to Advocate for Yourself: A good support group can empower you to make informed decisions about treatment, and remind you that MS is different for every patient, and you deserve to live life to the fullest, even with MS. You are the only one that knows how you truly feel and what you endure, so speak up for yourself.
  5. Focus on Living Well, Not Just Surviving: Living with MS is not just about surviving it’s about living a life that gives you purpose. Support groups that focus on this shift in mindset can be hugely beneficial.

My hope is that you get connected with a support group that offers you a sense of community, empathy, understanding, coping skills, and overall knowledge of living your best life. Get involved in the MS community and begin to flourish!