 |
|
 |
|||
 |
 |
|
|||
|
|
 |
 |
||
 |
|||||
|
|||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
The Emotional Impact of Parkinson's Disease
The symptoms of Parkinson's disease and their complications can have a profound and emotionally difficult impact on daily life without help, knowledge, and support.
Coming to terms with your diagnosis Being told that you have Parkinson's disease can be overwhelming. You may feel many conflicting emotions, ranging from disbelief and denial to fear, anxiety, and sadness. You may find it a relief that a reason for the problems you have been experiencing has been identified. You may be concerned about becoming physically, emotionally, and economically dependent on others. It is only natural to worry about the responses of loved ones, employers, and work colleagues, and, if symptoms are obvious, about the reactions of total strangers. Parkinson's disease is a very individual condition and affects everyone differently—if someone else you know or someone in your family has had Parkinson's disease, do not assume that you will experience the same symptoms or problems. Learn to recognize your own symptoms and share any observations with your doctor and healthcare team. Although you may often feel anxious or discouraged, try not to let others—including your family and your doctors—make important decisions for you. One of the best ways to deal with any fears or worries about Parkinson's disease is to find out as much as you can about the condition. Your healthcare team can be a useful source of information, along with books and the Internet, including the Web sites of various Parkinson's disease organizations. Contact with people who know what you are going through can be especially helpful. Ask your doctor, nurse, or social worker about Parkinson's disease support groups in your local community.
Staying positive There is no question that a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease represents a serious life change, and it is only natural to worry about the future. You will probably have 'good' and 'bad' days, and feelings of sadness, discouragement, irritability, and frustration are all understandable. Importantly, try to be kind to yourself on days when you feel fed-up or frustrated. It will help to share any anxieties with your family and friends, gain good professional advice and take advantage of local support networks.
Depression If you start to experience more serious feelings of sadness or withdrawal, you may be suffering from depression. Signs of depression may include sleep disturbances, problems with concentration, weight loss/gain, anxiety or irritability, and panic attacks. If you or your family think that you are suffering from depression, don't be afraid to ask for help or advice. It takes a lot of courage to admit that you are depressed. Counseling may help. A counselor can provide individual or family counseling about how to adjust to the changes Parkinson's disease is making to your life. Depression can often improve without treatment once your antiparkinsonian drugs begin to take effect. Simple measures such as adjusting your medication may help. If your doctor feels that it is needed, several types of antidepressant drugs are compatible with the treatments for Parkinson's disease and can help to relieve the symptoms of depression.
Talking about Parkinson's disease One of the most difficult things about having Parkinson's disease can be explaining the condition to others. Negative responses, such as staring and hostility from strangers who do not know about your condition can be especially difficult. It is up to you whether or not you wish to tell your friends, work colleagues, neighbors, or the public you meet in day-to-day life that you have Parkinson's disease. However, it can be good to share with some people what is happening to you, and there will be certain people that you have to tell. Don't wait too long before telling people close to you, particularly if your symptoms are noticeable. They may incorrectly guess what is wrong with you, and the anxiety of not knowing is often harder than knowing the truth. If you are able, it may help to speak openly with your family about the changes Parkinson's disease is making to all your lives. Explaining your symptoms to people so that they know what to expect may help, particularly to children who may find it harder to understand what having Parkinson's disease means. A counselor can provide advice on how to adjust to the changes Parkinson's disease is making. Day-to-day it might help to use local facilities—a supermarket or shop—where people know you and are understanding. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it, for example, if you need a glass of water to help you take your medications.
Tips for staying positive
|
|
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
