The effects of Parkinson’s disease on your body’s neurotransmitters and your overall abilities to move can lead to disruptions in your life. These problems can lead to depression. NIH reports that as many as 50% of all patients who have PD also end up getting depression. Most of these patients have low levels of dopamine and serotonin. But their signs of depression do not usually abate through the drugs that can increase the brain’s dopamine levels.
Talk to your doctor about any depression symptoms you are having.
Depression in PD patients can be hard to diagnose and to spot. The big reason for this is depression in a PD patient does not have all of the typical symptoms of major depression, such as:
- Suicidal thoughts
- Guilt
- Delusions
- Self blame
Instead, PD patients who have depression often have lower motivation to work, lack of emotion, decreased sex drive and overall fatigue.
If you have PD and are dealing with depression, there is hope! You should be sure to speak to your health care professional as soon as possible. There may be drug therapies and counseling that can really help.
Also, about 1/3 of patients who have PD also may develop an anxiety problem. One study has found that about 1/3 of PD patients in the study had some type of anxiety problem.
Note that some drugs that are used to treat PD also can create a number of emotional issues. For instance, treatment with levodopa and dopamine drugs can cause an increase in compulsive behaviors, such as gambling and shopping.
Mental Complications
Many people with PD also have problems with thinking clearly, remembering, solving problems and speaking. Whey these problems start to affect how they function, these patients often are diagnosed with dementia. Studies have suggested that dementia is 3-6X more likely to affect elderly people with PD than the typical elderly adult without PD.
When combined with the physical symptoms of PD, dementia can have serious effects on your ability to live a normal life. However, the good news here is that some evidence at the Mayo Clinic shows that drugs that are used to treat Alzheimer’s can improve dementia in these patients.
Related Complications
People who have PD also may suffer from other related issues, such as difficulty sleeping, hallucinations, poor vision and trouble with the sense of smell. Daytime sleepiness and hallucinations often are increased by PD medications.
Other complications, including sexual side effects, can be caused by the disease and also from the emotional problems it creates. A 2000 study found that patients with PD have problems with sexual performance, but also are not as likely to talk about their feelings.
Parkinson’s Aids
In addition to speaking with your doctor about any mental and emotional issues your PD is causing, your life can be made a great deal easier with our comprehensive selection of PD products. The Telescoping Grip Grab Bar is very convenient in the shower for a PD patient who needs to steady himself. Or, the Large Universal Weighted Holder can fit over a razor or toothbrush handle, making it easier for you to do typical daily tasks of living.
