Is there a multiple sclerosis personality? Personality characteristics in newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis and association with mood and cognition

Neuropsychiatric changes are common in multiple sclerosis (MS). Personality in persons with MS (pwMS) is understudied despite its implications for health behaviours, symptoms, and quality of life (QOL). To assess baseline personality characteristics and their relationship to information processing speed (IPS) and mood in persons with early MS. A retrospective chart review of 384 pwMS who had psychometric testing within 2 years of diagnosis between February 2012 and May 2021. Testing included the NEO-Five Factor Inventory, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Participants were highly agreeable (53.7%). Most had impaired IPS (60.5%). Anxiety and depression were present in 194 (50.5%) and 87 (22.6%) participants, respectively. Females were more agreeable and conscientious. Neuroticism, conscientiousness, and extraversion had moderate-high correlations with anxiety and depression. Despite weak correlations with conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness, pwMS with impaired versus normal IPS had no significant personality differences. Individuals with recently diagnosed MS are agreeable, typically have impaired IPS, and often have anxiety or depression. Significant personality differences exist between sexes and between pwMS with or without anxiety or depression. Early identification of these neuropsychiatric traits in pwMS may improve treatment adherence, symptoms, and QOL. •Personality in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) is understudied•Persons with early MS have a highly agreeable personality; and most have impaired information processing speed (IPS).•No single personality factor has a strong or clinically significant relationship with IPS when assessed by the Symbol Digit Modalities Test.•Symptoms of depression and anxiety are common in persons with early MS, even in the absence of an established or reported psychiatric diagnosis.•Depression and anxiety are associated with high neuroticism, low extraversion, and low conscientiousness.