Living with Parkinson’s disease can take its toll on a person not only physically but also psychologically. It is common to feel anxious, angry, discouraged or downright depressed as the brain is undergoing significant chemical changes. Approximately 40-70 percent of Parkinson’s sufferers have experienced bouts of depression, while 20 percent of these have what is considered a major depressive disorder. Anxiety and panic attacks are also common psychological elements of the disease. On average, 70 percent of people who have pre-existing depression also develop anxiety; whereas 90 percent of people who first experience anxiety, fall victim to depression. Dementia afflicts 20-30 percent of Parkinson's sufferers. This gradual decline initially begins with slowness in thought and advances to an inability to properly organize thoughts. Memory loss is widespread as is a general feeling of apathy. There is a silver lining, however. Parkinson’s disease sufferers can develop adequate coping skills to manage the psychological aspects of their condition.
It is important to educate yourself as much as you possibly can about the disease. You should investigate all aspects, including your prognosis, the options for treatment, lifestyle changes that might be necessary and possible side effects. Patients need to take a proactive role in their own lives by taking control of their treatment and making their own decisions.
Maintaining a strong support network goes a long way in preserving psychological health. Always keep open the lines of communication with your spouse, your children and other family members as well as friends. Support groups can also be very helpful in coping with the disease as well. In support groups, you can talk with others who share your same fears and concerns about their condition.
Do everything in your power to eliminate stress at work. Many people can still work on a full or part time basis but must learn to approach their jobs differently. It may be helpful to break your job down into parts or tasks in order to avoid becoming exhausted or overwhelmed by the work at hand. Devise a schedule in which you have the ability to tackle the most challenging tasks when your symptoms are not at their worst. Options you might consider are working from home, also known as telecommuting, making the transition from working full time to part time and/or changing jobs perhaps to do lighter work or to be nearer to home.
For those Parkinson's sufferers who are finding it difficult psychologically to cope with their disease, there are things you can do in order to retain a good quality of life and to also maintain a sense of control over what, at times, feels like an out of control life situation. No matter what your specific circumstances, always try to take time out of every day to participate in things you enjoy. Maybe this means watching a favorite television program, enjoying a bath or calling a friend to chat. Do not underestimate the benefit of doing what you love. It is important to remember that your doctor and/or health care practitioner is on your side and should always be available to answer any and all of your health concerns whether they relate to symptoms, the progression of the disease, or treatments.
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