Parkinson’s Disease

Dealing with feelings like sadness, worry, and lack of interest, as well as memory and cognitive problems, is common for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). These issues can really affect how someone feels and acts. Feeling down or anxious is pretty common in PD. It’s been found that about 30-40% of people with PD feel really sad, and around 40% feel anxious. Sometimes, these feelings happen alongside changes in movement and can get better with certain medications. It is interesting to note that sometimes, these feelings can show up years before the physical symptoms of PD, giving us a heads-up that something might be going on.

Understanding why these feelings happen involves looking at how certain chemicals in the brain work. Studies show that certain parts of the brain that use chemicals like serotonin and dopamine are affected in PD. There’s also a genetic link, meaning if someone in your family has PD, you might be more likely to feel these things too.

Thinking and memory issues are also a big deal for people with PD. It’s not just about moving slower; it is also about problems with remembering things or making decisions. While we used to think these problems only showed up later in PD, we now know they can happen earlier on, affecting almost half of all PD patients. There is still a lot we are learning about why this happens and how we can help.

If you or someone you care about is dealing with these challenges, our clinic offers a range of helpful strategies and support, including non-medication approaches and ways to understand how thinking and feeling are connected in PD. Learn more here.