Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this talk at the 2025 Virtual RNDS, clinical psychologist “V” O’Hayer covered the psychological burden of NMOSD. With how unpredictable and debilitating NMOSD can be, it makes sense that people with NMOSD would struggle with mental health issues. O’Hayer shared some results from her study, which include factors on how diagnosis can interfere with a person’s life. There are fears of not being physically capable of doing things or having to give up things once loved or enjoyed. Many patients experience depression, anxiety, and rigid thinking.
Dr. O’Hayer then shared about ACT, acceptance and commitment therapy, a new form of cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses on treating the negative aspects of avoiding feelings. ACT asks its users to act now—not to wait until you feel better or are less tired. Asking yourself whether you are living the way you want to live and what small steps you can take toward living how you want to live, right now, are fundamental aspects of ACT. She then shared the results of an ACT and NMOSD study. Which showed that participants showed improvement in depression, anxiety, and so many other factors.
In this talk at the 2025 Virtual RNDS, clinical psychologist “V” O’Hayer covered the psychological burden of NMOSD. With how unpredictable and debilitating NMOSD can be, it makes sense that people with NMOSD would struggle with mental health issues. O’Hayer shared some results from her study, which include factors on how diagnosis can interfere with a person’s life. There are fears of not being physically capable of doing things or having to give up things once loved or enjoyed. Many patients experience depression, anxiety, and rigid thinking.
Dr. O’Hayer then shared about ACT, acceptance and commitment therapy, a new form of cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses on treating the negative aspects of avoiding feelings. ACT asks its users to act now—not to wait until you feel better or are less tired. Asking yourself whether you are living the way you want to live and what small steps you can take toward living how you want to live, right now, are fundamental aspects of ACT. She then shared the results of an ACT and NMOSD study. Which showed that participants showed improvement in depression, anxiety, and so many other factors.
