Self-efficacy is having the confidence that you can do what you need to do and manage whatever comes your way.1 Believing in your ability to complete a task or achieve a goal can determine how you deal with any challenges that arise along the way.
If a person has low self-efficacy, they tend to avoid tasks, or will feel discouraged and give up, whereas if a person has high self-efficacy they will tend to have a go at performing tasks and will persist longer.2 For people with MS, those with low self-efficacy tend to have lower physical and mental quality of life, and are more likely to experience depression.2
Tips to improve your confidence and self-belief include3
- Create a safe and healthy lifestyle
- Learn about MS, including symptoms and treatments
- Take notice of your symptoms and your environment
- Be proactive and anticipate changes, as well as the need to adjust to each new symptom or flare-up
- Create a support system of family, friends, healthcare professionals and other community members or groups
- Learn to manage or alter sources of stress as well as your emotional response to them
- Try to avoid or reduce anxiety and worry
- Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that MS brings challenges and losses
- Remember that you are not your illness
- Live one day at a time
Take notice of your symptoms – use this symptom checker to assess your symptoms
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References:
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Resilience: Addressing the challenges of MS. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Resources-Support/Library-Education-Programs/Resilience-Addressing-The-Challenges-Of-MS (date of last update 2023).
- Jongen PJ, et al. BMC Res Notes. 2016;9:375.
- Very Well Health. Tips for improving life with multiple sclerosis. https://www.verywellhealth.com/improving-life-with-ms-5224656 (date of last update June 2022).