Emotional and Psychological Effects of Parkinson’s Disease

(Read in Hindi) Getting diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease is stressful for any person (read more about Who Can Diagnose PD and How). Beyond acceptance of diagnosis, there is a long journey for the Parkinson's disease patient and the family. The journey is full of challenges, learnings, and ways of defining or arranging life around the condition's progress. This involves not just the person (patient with Parkinson's Disease) but their immediate family too.

The effect of Parkinson's Disease on physical health has been well known, and it is also discussed in our article - Symptoms of PD. Treating the physical effects involves medication, physiotherapy, and many other methods.

Subtle or Pronounced - but Yes!

However, during this journey, the patients with Parkinson's Disease and their families can also experience mental and emotional impact. If one comes across a family member of a person who has Parkinson's Disease, one is very likely to hear them say something similar to - “He/She (the patient) isn't the same anymore”.

The changes may be subtle or more evident, but most feel that the loved one has changed from who they were. As for the person themselves, they may also notice how they think or feel about their surroundings and themselves as compared to earlier.

Is it normal?

As PD affects the brain, and a large part of our personality is defined by our brain structure and its functioning, it is logical that brain changes would affect the personality. However, it is not just that. The ever-growing physical challenges, uncertainty of the future, social difficulties, and financial burden - these also play a part in affecting the mental state of both the patient and the family.

The identification and care of these is less documented and understood than the physical symptoms, such as movement disorders, and others. This could be due to the fact that these are not evident and may be silently happening within the mind. These could also go unnoticed or, despite noticing, get labelled as ‘normal part of ageing’.

But, considering these to be related to PD and seeking professional help could impact the quality of life somehow. If you want to learn more about how better handling can impact the quality of life for those with Parkinson's, click here.

What could the effects of Parkinson's Disease be?

Some of the common mental health problems noted by the physician and researchers are listed below, though this differs from person to person and even for the same person as Parkinson's Disease progresses.

• Anxiety - this may show up as recurrent worrying thoughts or obsessive behavior

• Depression - this may show up as anger, moodiness, or withdrawal.

• Motivation - diminished desire to go out, do any engaging activity, or even carry out routine activities

• Apathy - aloofness or how actively the person interacts with others

• Cognitive changes - a person processes any information received (through talking/watching/reading) more slowly or with a shorter concentration span. They may even imagine what does not exist or hallucinate in late stages.

• Memory problems - these may even lead to more serious disorders like dementia in later stages of Parkinson's Disease.

While describing what they observe, families use terms like stubbornness, disorganized, or indisciplined. We already recognize the disease as a life-changer, and part of that is also because it can change who we are. But it doesn't have to.

If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, feel free to contact us or read more about WALK and step into a better life with Parkinson's.

Patient using the WALK device