FROM STIGMA TO SUPPORT: RETHINKING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE PD COMMUNITY
Tremors, rigidity, and mobility issues are commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, beneath the visible symptoms are many non-motor symptoms that are not always outwardly noticeable. One of these quieter yet equally important aspects of this disease are the mental health challenges that can accompany PD. For many navigating PD, the shifts in mental health can often overshadow their physical symptoms.
Mental health difficulties including anxiety, depression, hallucinations, and delusions can occur for some people living with this disease. In a recent episode of Dr. Gilbert Hosts, Dr. Gilbert spoke with Dr. Mark Groves — a psychiatrist with a particular interest in the mental health challenges of those living with PD — about the importance of mental well-being. He says that treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or medications can help in coping with mental health complications and are essential to improving quality of life.
If you feel as if your mental health has declined because of PD, it’s critical to talk with your healthcare team to come up with a plan that’s right for you. When talking with your healthcare provider, it’s important to be proactive. Because there are so many different symptoms that can manifest in PD, your doctor may be focused elsewhere such as your tremors, blood pressure, or sleep. If your doctor does not bring up cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, or psychosis — take action and bring it up yourself!