When facing a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, it is understandable
to feel anxious or depressed. But mood disorders such as anxiety and
depression are real clinical symptoms of Parkinson’s, just as
rigidity and
tremor.
In fact, at least half of all Parkinson’s patients may suffer from
clinical depression at some point during the course of their disease,
according to some estimates.
The good news: Over the past decade, researchers have placed
increasing focus on investigating these aspects of the disease, and
today we have a better understanding of how to treat mood disorders in
Parkinson’s and increase quality of life.
On this page you’ll find up-to-date information from clinicians and researchers, as well as quotes from our
Guide for the Newly Diagnosed,
authored by Parkinson’s patients themselves as a resource for those
just beginning their journey with Parkinson’s disease. We’ve also
included various multimedia interviews with
Dr. Irene Hegeman Richard, MD,
of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and our
Scientific Advisory Board, who has done extensive research into
depression and Parkinson’s disease.
How Can I Get Help for Depression or Anxiety?
“While depression and anxiety can be normal reactions to being
diagnosed with a serious disease, clinical depression is real. These
symptoms, if left untreated, are damaging at best and deadly at worst.
Make sure you discuss depression and anxiety with your doctor. It is
important to remember that clinical depression and anxiety are
underdiagnosed in people with Parkinson’s and that they are symptoms of
your disease, not character flaws.”
Depression can be seriously detrimental, and, for people with
Parkinson’s, it can affect long-term outcomes for the worse by hindering
critical elements of an overall treatment regimen such as staying
socially connected, exercising to manage motor symptoms, or being
proactive about seeking care.
Be on the lookout for a lack of enjoyment in activities and
situations that once brought you joy. Also pay attention to observations
made by family and friends because you or your physician may not always
recognize the signs of depression and anxiety. In fact, your physician
may not even ask you about these conditions if you don’t mention changes
in mood or outlook.
Depression and anxiety can be treated with medications, lifestyle
changes and therapy or counseling from a qualified practitioner.
Support groups may also be source of help.
What Does the Research Tell Us?
“Even within the past decade, quality of life for Parkinson's
patients has greatly improved. The prospects for the next five to 10
years are even better.”
Researchers believe that depression and anxiety in Parkinson’s
disease may be due to the underlying changes in brain chemistry and
circuitry that are caused by the disease itself. In fact, depression in
Parkinson’s patients can start
before motor symptoms even arise. The Michael J. Fox Foundation actively
pursues research
that can shed light on the connection between depression and
Parkinson’s, and lead to treatment breakthroughs for everyone living
with the disease.
The same pathways that create dopamine in the
brain — which are impacted in Parkinson’s disease — also create the
hormonal neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin regulates mood, appetite
and sleep. If dopamine is like the motor oil to keep the body’s systems
controlling movement running smoothly, then serotonin is like the motor
oil for a person’s mood. Researchers hypothesize that the effect of
Parkinson’s on this system is responsible for the clinical symptoms of
depression and anxiety. The Foundation is
supporting research to clarify this relationship.
In April 2012, the
Study of Antidepressants in Parkinson's Disease
(SAD-PD), the first major clinical study testing common antidepressants
in people with Parkinson’s, found that some of these drugs can ease
depression in Parkinson’s patients without aggravating motor symptoms.*
Needless to say, work closely with your physician before adding any drug
to your Parkinson’s treatment regimen.
“A Parkinson’s diagnosis, although life-altering, is not a death
sentence. Symptoms will change over time, as will your attitude; no one
should expect, nor should you expect from yourself, that this will be
easy to deal with. But people with Parkinson’s and others alike should
all value and make the most of every day. In a best-case scenario, a
Parkinson’s diagnosis can become a real wake-up call: a chance to
re-examine your priorities, and focus not on what you cannot do, but
instead, on what you can.”
*A specific note on drug interactions: It is critical that
patients with Parkinson’s disease educate themselves and work closely
with their physicians and medical team to understand potential drug
interactions between antidepressants and Parkinson’s treatments. The
results of combining incompatible drugs can be serious.
Source: https://www.michaeljfox.org/understanding-parkinsons/living-with-pd/topic.php?emotions-depression&navid=emotions-depression&smcid=ag-a30U0000000OWEc&s_src=Adwords&s_subsrc=adwords_depression&gclid=CJ-rm-Cbr84CFfIV0wod_KMC8w
