Post-traumatic stress disorder in people with multiple sclerosis: A narrative review

Psychiatric comorbidities are common in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Yet, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has received little attention to date. Grounded in an emerging literature on the impact of trauma on pwMS, this Topical Review synthesizes current evidence on PTSD in pwMS. Although 5%–16% of pwMS have PTSD, there remains uncertainty about whether the prevalence exceeds that seen in the general population. Nonetheless, PTSD may influence measures of multiple sclerosis (MS)-related disease activity, employment, and participation in healthcare. Preliminary data indicate no sex difference in PTSD in pwMS, in contrast to an elevated risk in females in the general population. Further work is needed to clarify the demographic and disease-related correlates of PTSD, and the effectiveness of potential treatments in pwMS. By summarizing existing knowledge, this review highlights avenues for future research to advance care for people with comorbid PTSD and MS.