Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive, chronic illness, and it's really difficult to maintain a cheerful demeanor when your body is not giving you any help. According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, at least 40 percent of people with PD experience clinical depression at some time during the illness. This depression tends to occur early on and may wax and wane in severity.
Your Brain Is the Culprit
At first, you deal with the confirmation of the diagnosis, and that takes some processing. This early depression is not the end of the problem, however, for as Parkinson's progresses, it alters the neurochemistry of the brain, and these changes may result in symptoms of depression. The areas of the brain that control mood are affected, and the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine are involved. Also, the frontal lobe of the brain is underactive in PD, and this area also controls moods. So, in PD, depression truly isn't anything you have control over.
Essential
If you have PD, you experience some of the same difficulties as do people who have survived a stroke. Your brain, instead of being your strong ally, turns out to be the renegade. Dealing with this renegade on your terms can be extremely challenging for both you and those who care about you.
Treating Depression in PD
First, it's vital that you keep up with your treatments for PD to realize the best possible control for your symptoms. Symptoms that are not under control make you more prone to depression. Poor sleep, constipation, and fatigue are conditions that should also be treated, to help you live better with PD.
Exercise is important, and so is making the almost superhuman effort to maintain your social life. Support groups can help you here. Antidepressants are also useful, so check with your physician about the right medications to help you stay on top of things. Stress management and relaxation exercises also can give you a needed lift. It's no joke to tell you to “keep moving.” Remain active!
What the Research Reveals
At the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, a study was presented concerning depression and PD. What the researchers found is that depression often precedes PD. In the next section on diabetes and depression, you'll read something quite similar. Is depression an early sign of PD and other conditions? If this is true, it will allow researchers to get a leg up on diagnosis, at some point in the not-too-distant future.
Research is continuing at a good clip for PD. If you have PD and are suffering from depression, consider volunteering for a study conducted under the auspices of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). You might very easily find yourself on the cutting edge of some exciting discoveries.
