ABSTRACT
Multiple sclerosis [MS] is an acquired chronic neurological disease whose prevalence is more in some areas of Iran. Of its significant features are that most patients are young adults and also it's disabling nature. Psychiatric disorders such as depression are seen in MS patients considerably. Expression of emotions or emotional Catharsis by writing is one of the cost-effective self-helping methods whose efficacy has been studied on mental and physical health and survival in chronic patients. This method has not been studied on MS patients yet. This research has been conducted to evaluate the effects of Journaling on depression in MS patients. This study has been done in ''Interventional and Quazi experiment'' before and after method, on patients with [MS] coming to MS ASSOSIATION, in TEHRAN, IRAN within [2010]. After getting patients' written consents, candidates were asked to complete first DASS-21 questionnaire and then write negative feelings and emotions about a traumatic event, 30 minutes a day for four continuous weeks. After 1 month they were asked to complete another DASS-21 questionnaire. Finally Data of questionnaire were analyzed by SPSS version 16. Depression score are higher than normal in MS patients. Mean of depression score of intervention group was significantly better than before Journaling [P=0.008]. Journaling efficacy was not dependent on sex and patients age. Journaling and writing emotional expression is effective on depression score in patients with MS