Sparrow Neuropsychology · Vancouver

Multiple Sclerosis Resources

Organisations, information, and support for people living with MS in BC, Canada

These resources are oriented towards people living with multiple sclerosis in British Columbia, Canada. This page brings together high-quality information, services, and support for people with MS and for the families and carers who support them. It is intended as a starting point — not a substitute for advice from your own medical team.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition in which the immune system attacks myelin — the protective sheath around nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord. This disrupts the electrical signals that nerves use to communicate, producing a wide range of symptoms depending on which areas are affected. Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, with approximately 90,000 Canadians living with the condition — roughly one in 385. MS is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50 and is about three times more common in women than men.

MS takes different forms in different people. The most common is relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), in which periods of new or worsening symptoms (relapses) are followed by periods of recovery. Over time, some people transition to a secondary progressive course; a smaller number have primary progressive MS, in which disability accumulates more steadily without distinct relapses. Disease-modifying therapies, now considerably more effective than a generation ago, can substantially reduce relapse rates and slow progression for many people.

What a neuropsychological assessment can offer

Cognitive changes — difficulty with memory, slowed thinking, concentration, or word-finding — affect up to two-thirds of people with MS at some point. These changes are often subtle, fluctuating, and easy to dismiss or misattribute. A neuropsychological assessment provides a detailed, standardised map of cognitive functioning that clinical interview alone cannot produce.

An assessment can:

Identify cognitive changes early — processing speed and working memory are the abilities most often affected in MS; formal testing can detect changes that fall below the threshold of everyday awareness but are nonetheless meaningful
Disentangle cognitive difficulties from fatigue and mood — MS fatigue and depression can both impair thinking independently; an assessment helps determine how much each is contributing, which matters for treatment planning
Provide a documented baseline — for a condition that may fluctuate or progress over time, a cognitive baseline allows future changes to be measured rather than estimated
Support workplace accommodations — if there are questions about cognitive performance at work, a formal assessment provides objective, professionally documented evidence for conversations with employers, occupational therapists, and HR
Inform rehabilitation planning — understanding your specific profile of cognitive strengths and difficulties helps rehabilitation therapists and your medical team target the areas that matter most
Assist with legal, insurance, or disability claims — where MS has led to work cessation or legal proceedings, neuropsychological assessment provides documented evidence of cognitive functioning at a specific point in time

A neuropsychological assessment does not require a referral from a specialist; your GP or neurologist can refer you, or you can contact us directly.

Understanding MS — the biology

What is multiple sclerosis? — MS Canada’s plain-language overview of what MS is, how it is caused, and what it means to be diagnosed. MS Canada is the national organisation for MS in Canada, formerly the MS Society of Canada.
What are the different types of MS? — MS Canada’s explanation of relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive, and primary progressive MS — what distinguishes each type and what it means for treatment and prognosis.
What are the symptoms of MS? — MS Canada’s overview of the full range of MS symptoms, from physical to cognitive to emotional, and how they can vary between people and over time.
What is multiple sclerosis — and what causes it? — The MS International Federation (MSIF) is the global federation of national MS organisations. Their overview covers the immunological basis of MS and its global epidemiology.
What is the research background to MS? — The National MS Society (US) provides one of the most comprehensive evidence-based overviews of MS available to the public, covering biology, types, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

Cognitive changes in MS

Cognitive changes are among the most common — and most under-recognised — effects of MS. They affect up to two-thirds of people with the condition at some point, yet they often receive less attention than physical symptoms. Understanding what is happening, and why, is the first step toward managing it.

The pattern of cognitive change in MS is distinct from dementia. General intelligence is typically preserved, and most people with MS continue to think clearly at a high level. What tends to be affected are specific cognitive processes — particularly the speed and efficiency of information processing, which underpins many everyday tasks.

Common cognitive changes in MS include:

Processing speed — thinking, responding, and following conversations more slowly than before; the most consistently affected cognitive domain in MS
Attention and concentration — difficulty sustaining focus, being easily distracted, struggling to hold information in mind while doing something else
Working memory — difficulty holding and mentally manipulating information in the short term, such as remembering a phone number long enough to dial it
Learning and new memory — difficulty taking in and retaining new information, though information that is already well established is often relatively preserved
Word-finding — losing words mid-sentence or having names “on the tip of the tongue”; a common and frustrating experience that does not reflect general language ability
Executive function — difficulty with planning, organising, prioritising, or managing complex tasks
Cognitive fatigue — mental exhaustion that builds rapidly with demanding cognitive tasks and does not resolve with ordinary rest; often confused with physical fatigue but a distinct phenomenon
How does MS affect cognition and thinking? — National MS Society comprehensive guide to cognitive changes in MS: what is affected, what is typically preserved, what assessment involves, and what can help.
What are thinking and memory problems in MS? — MS Trust (UK) accessible guide to cognitive difficulties in MS, including why they happen and practical strategies for managing them.
What strategies can help with memory in MS? — MS Trust’s evidence-based guidance on practical memory strategies — covering both compensatory techniques and lifestyle factors that support cognitive function.
What is MS fatigue? — National MS Society overview of MS fatigue — one of the most common and disabling MS symptoms — including cognitive fatigue, its causes, and approaches to management.
What can I read about MS fatigue? — MS Trust A-Z entry on fatigue, covering types of fatigue in MS, assessment, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, and practical management strategies.

If there are questions about cognitive performance in your day-to-day life — at work, in conversations, or managing complex tasks — a neuropsychological assessment can provide objective, detailed information. Please contact us or submit a referral to discuss whether an assessment would be useful.

Psychological adjustment to MS

Being diagnosed with MS — and living with a condition that is unpredictable, variable, and as yet without a cure — is a genuine psychological challenge. The emotional response is not a sign of weakness: it is a natural response to a significant life event.

Depression affects up to half of people with MS over the course of their lives — roughly twice the rate in the general population. Importantly, this is not only a psychological reaction to a difficult diagnosis. Depression in MS has a neurological component: demyelination in circuits that regulate mood directly increases vulnerability to depression, independently of how a person is adjusting emotionally. This means depression in MS often warrants specific attention and treatment, not simply reassurance that feeling low is understandable.

Anxiety is also very common. For many people, the uncertainty of MS — not knowing how the condition will progress, whether a new symptom signals a relapse, or what life will look like in ten years — is harder to manage than the symptoms themselves.

Emotional lability (also called pseudobulbar affect) occurs in some people with MS and involves sudden, involuntary shifts in emotional expression — laughing or crying disproportionately or without clear cause. It is a direct neurological effect of MS, not a sign of psychiatric disturbance, and understanding it for what it is can help both the person and those around them.

Grief and identity are central for many people. MS can alter a person’s sense of who they are, what they are capable of, and what their future holds. The experience of grief — for the life one expected, for abilities one has lost or fears losing — is real and legitimate, and deserves acknowledgment.

What emotional changes does MS cause? — National MS Society overview of the emotional effects of MS: depression, anxiety, emotional lability, and the neurological and psychological factors that contribute to each.
What does the MS Trust say about depression? — MS Trust A-Z entry on depression in MS: why it is common, how it is distinct from ordinary sadness, how it is diagnosed, and what treatment options are available.
What does the MS Trust say about anxiety? — MS Trust A-Z entry on anxiety in MS: why it is so common, how it presents, and evidence-based approaches to management including therapy and medication.

Impact on partners and families

MS affects everyone close to the person who has it. Partners, adult children, and other family members are often deeply involved — and the impact on them can go unacknowledged.

Partners in particular may face gradual changes in relationship dynamics as roles shift over time. The uncertainty of MS — its unpredictability, fluctuating course, and the impossibility of knowing what the future holds — can make planning difficult and places a sustained emotional demand on relationships. Partners may find themselves absorbing more practical responsibilities, managing their own anxiety about what lies ahead, and putting their own needs aside.

For families with children, additional challenges arise: how and when to explain the diagnosis, reassuring children that it is not their fault, and managing the practical effects of a parent having a chronic illness. Adult children of people with MS also face uncertainty about their own genetic risk.

Carers and family members can also struggle with their own emotional responses — grief, fear, guilt, and, at times, resentment — and may find it hard to acknowledge these feelings when the focus of clinical attention is elsewhere.

What resources are there for family and friends affected by MS? — MS Trust hub covering the impact of MS on relationships, family life, parenting, and the challenges partners and family members face.
How do I talk to friends and family about MS? — MS Trust guidance on how to talk to people in your life about a diagnosis — including friends, colleagues, and children — and what to expect when you do.
What support is available for carers in BC? — Family Caregivers BC supports unpaid carers across the province with one-on-one coaching, peer support, and navigation of community services. Caregiver Support Line: 1-877-520-3267 (Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Common concerns

People living with MS — and their families — often share similar questions and worries. Some of the most common:

Will I end up in a wheelchair? Many people with MS do not develop severe physical disability, particularly with modern disease-modifying treatments. The proportion of people with MS who eventually use a wheelchair has fallen considerably over recent decades as treatments have improved. This is an important conversation to have honestly with your neurologist, who can speak to your specific situation.
Will my MS get worse? MS is unpredictable, and the course varies enormously between individuals. Many people live for decades with mild disability; others experience more rapid progression. Disease-modifying therapies reduce the risk of relapses and can slow accumulation of disability — making early treatment an important conversation.
Is my memory or thinking affected? Cognitive changes are common in MS and often go unnoticed — by both patients and clinicians — until they begin to affect daily function. If you have concerns about your thinking, a neuropsychological assessment can provide objective information.
How will this affect my work? This depends on your specific symptoms and the demands of your role. Many people with MS work successfully for many years. Workplace accommodations — for fatigue management, flexible hours, or workload adjustments — can make a significant difference. A neuropsychological assessment can provide documented evidence for conversations with employers.
Is it safe to have children? MS itself does not prevent pregnancy, and many women with MS have healthy pregnancies. Some MS medications need to be stopped before conception. Disease activity often decreases during pregnancy. Your neurologist should be closely involved in family planning decisions.
Will my children inherit MS? MS has a genetic component. The population risk is around 1 in 385; the risk for a first-degree relative of someone with MS is higher, but still relatively low (roughly 1 in 40 for children). The large majority of children of people with MS do not develop the condition.
How will I know if my treatment is working? Your neurologist will typically monitor treatment response through clinical assessment and MRI. For cognitive function specifically, a neuropsychological assessment provides a measure that MRI alone cannot — an objective record of how your brain is functioning.
What about fatigue? Fatigue is the most commonly reported symptom in MS and one of the most disabling. It is often invisible to others and poorly understood. Management strategies — including pacing, sleep hygiene, aerobic exercise, and sometimes medication — can help significantly. It is worth raising explicitly with your MS team if it is affecting your life.
I feel low or anxious — is that part of MS? Depression and anxiety are very common in MS and have both neurological and psychological causes. They are not signs of weakness, and many respond well to treatment. It is always worth telling your medical team, because untreated depression and anxiety also worsen fatigue and cognitive symptoms.

Mental health support in BC

Both people with MS and their carers experience significantly elevated rates of depression and anxiety. Support is available — and seeking it is a sign of self-awareness, not weakness.

Peer support

Connecting with others who understand your experience — whether you have MS or care for someone who does — can be profoundly valuable. MS Canada runs peer support programs specifically for people affected by MS in Canada.

Is there one-to-one peer support for people with MS? — MS Canada’s 1:1 Peer Support program matches people recently diagnosed or facing new challenges with trained peer mentors who have MS themselves.
Is there an online MS community in Canada? — We Talk MS is MS Canada’s moderated online community for people living with MS and their supporters — a place to share experiences, ask questions, and connect with others across Canada.

Counsellors and psychologists

A psychologist has completed a doctorate in psychology (PhD or PsyD) and is registered with the College of Psychologists of BC. Psychologists provide therapy, can diagnose mental health conditions, and are qualified to conduct formal psychological assessments — useful when there are questions about cognition alongside emotional wellbeing.

A Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) typically holds a master’s degree in counselling and is registered with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). RCCs provide therapy and are well-suited for working through grief, anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, and the emotional demands of living with a chronic condition.

Both psychologists and RCCs can provide effective, evidence-based therapy. A psychologist may be the better fit if you also need a formal assessment alongside therapy.

To find a psychologist or counsellor in BC:

How do I find a registered psychologist in BC? — BC government resource listing registered psychologists, searchable by location, specialty, language, and availability.
How do I find a Registered Clinical Counsellor near me? — The BC Association of Clinical Counsellors’ searchable directory of RCCs across BC. Filter by location, session style (in-person or online), and areas of practice.
Where else can I search for a counsellor or psychologist? — CounsellingBC is a searchable directory of counsellors and psychologists across BC.

Most extended health benefit plans cover a number of counselling or psychology sessions up to a set dollar amount per year. Check with your benefits provider or HR advisor before your first appointment.

Psychiatrists

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who has completed specialist training in mental health. Like psychologists, psychiatrists can diagnose mental health conditions — and unlike psychologists and counsellors, they can also prescribe medication. They typically work alongside a GP or therapist rather than replacing them.

Depression in MS often has a neurological component — arising in part from the direct effects of demyelination on mood-regulating circuits — which means it may respond particularly well to medication, either alone or in combination with therapy. Just as one would not hesitate to treat a biological process that has gone out of balance in any other organ, there is no reason to leave a neurologically driven mood disorder untreated. The decision to try medication is personal and warrants a proper conversation, but it is always worth having, particularly if depression or anxiety has been present for some time.

To access a psychiatrist in BC, ask your family doctor or neurologist for a referral. You can also call HealthLink BC (8-1-1) for guidance on mental health services in your region.

Other BC mental health resources

Where can I find BC-specific mental health information and self-assessments? — Here to Help BC provides mental health information, self-assessments, and connections to local services across BC.
How do I find mental health programs in my community? — The Canadian Mental Health Association BC can help you find mental health programs and peer support across BC.
Where can carers find mental health support in BC? — Family Caregivers BC offers peer support, coaching, and community navigation for carers experiencing stress or burnout.
Is there a crisis or distress line I can call? — The Crisis Line Association of BC maintains a directory of volunteer-operated crisis and distress lines across British Columbia.
What if I need immediate emotional support right now? — Call or text 310-6789 (310 Mental Health Line, no area code needed) for free, 24/7 emotional support and mental health referrals anywhere in BC.
What if I am in crisis? — Call or text 9-8-8 (toll-free, 24/7) for immediate support.

Living with MS

What should I know if I have just been diagnosed with MS? — MS Canada’s newly diagnosed hub: what to expect, how to access support, navigating treatment decisions, and practical steps in the early weeks and months after a diagnosis.
What information and support is available for living with MS? — MS Canada’s comprehensive hub for managing MS: treatments, health and wellness, symptom management, and practical guidance for daily life.
What does the MS Trust offer for people living with MS? — The MS Trust (UK) is one of the highest-quality MS information organisations internationally, with detailed evidence-based guides on every aspect of living with MS.
What lifestyle and wellness information is available about MS? — National MS Society’s hub for managing MS day-to-day: wellness, exercise, diet, employment, relationships, and more.
What does HealthLink BC say about multiple sclerosis? — HealthLink BC’s overview of MS, accessible via 8-1-1, with information on causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment relevant to people in BC.
What is the Overcoming MS programme? — Overcoming MS is an evidence-based lifestyle programme for people with MS, covering diet, exercise, vitamin D, sun exposure, stress management, and medication. It has a substantial research base and a large international community.

Support groups in BC

Connecting with others who live with MS — or who care for someone who does — can be one of the most valuable things you do. MS Canada runs a range of support programs across Canada.

Where can I find an MS support group in BC? — MS Canada’s support group finder for in-person and online groups across Canada, including BC communities. Enter your location to find groups near you.
Is there an online community for people with MS in Canada? — We Talk MS is MS Canada’s moderated online community — accessible from anywhere, at any time.
Is there one-to-one peer support available? — MS Canada’s 1:1 Peer Support program connects people recently diagnosed or facing new challenges with trained peer mentors who have lived experience of MS.
What other MS support programs are available in Canada? — MS Canada’s full directory of support programs across Canada, including education programs, wellness resources, and navigation support.
Is there support for carers of people with MS in BC? — Family Caregivers BC offers peer support, coaching, and community navigation for carers across BC. Caregiver Support Line: 1-877-520-3267 (Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Podcasts

Multiple Sclerosis News Today Podcast — A reputable US-based patient news platform covering MS research, treatments, and lived experience. Their podcast series features clinicians, researchers, and people with MS on a range of topics relevant to anyone navigating life with the condition.
All in the Mind — BBC Radio 4 — Long-running, award-winning BBC Radio 4 podcast hosted by psychologist Claudia Hammond, exploring mental health, neuroscience, and brain conditions in depth — with episodes relevant to MS, cognitive changes, and emotional wellbeing.
All In The Mind — ABC Radio National — ABC Australia’s weekly podcast on the mind, brain, and behaviour — from memory and cognition to mental health and neurological conditions.

MS organisations in BC and Canada

In British Columbia

Who supports people with MS in BC? — MS Canada (formerly the MS Society of Canada) is the national MS organisation, with support programs, peer networks, and resources for people in BC and across Canada. Call their MS Navigators at 1-844-859-6789 for personalised guidance.
Where is specialist MS care provided in BC? — The UBC MS Clinic at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health is one of the world’s leading MS centres, providing specialist neurological care and internationally recognised MS research in Vancouver.

Across Canada

What is the national MS organisation in Canada? — MS Canada is the country’s primary MS organisation, funding research and providing information, peer support, and navigation services for the approximately 90,000 Canadians living with MS.
Is there Canadian-specific MS research I can participate in? — MS Canada’s research hub covering current research priorities and opportunities to participate in Canadian MS research.

International

Where can I find comprehensive MS information online? — The National MS Society (US) is one of the most comprehensive MS resources available, with detailed, evidence-based information on all aspects of the condition, treatment, and daily life.
What does the MS Trust offer? — The MS Trust (UK) is a highly regarded MS charity producing clear, evidence-based information across a broad range of topics, including an extensive A-Z of MS covering symptoms, treatments, and practical concerns.
Is there a global MS organisation? — The MS International Federation (MSIF) is the global federation of national MS organisations, providing international research updates and an overview of MS policy and advocacy worldwide.

If you are interested in a neuropsychological assessment to better understand cognitive changes related to multiple sclerosis, please contact us or submit a referral.