Do I Have Parkinson’s Or Anxiety

Anxiety And Parkinsons Research

What does this finding mean for the future of diagnosis or treatment of Parkinsons? Ongoing research is compelling, says Pontone. Part of what we are doing is looking at anxiety disorders that occur long before the onset of Parkinsons to see if there are characteristics that may differentiate that anxiety or predict an increased risk of Parkinsons disease.

Meanwhile, because theres an established link between anxiety and Parkinsons disease, patients and their families should be upfront with their doctors about anxiety symptoms. Behavioral therapy and medications for example, anti-anxiety meds or antidepressants can effectively treat anxiety disorders. Theres no need for anyone to suffer in silence.

Targeting Parkinsons-Linked Protein Could Neutralize 2 of the Diseases Causes

Researchers report they have discovered how two problem proteins known to cause Parkinsons disease are chemically linked, suggesting that someday, both could be neutralized by a single drug designed to target the link.

Depression Anxiety And Psychosis In Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is associated with depression, demoralization, anxiety, and psychosis. Depression in Parkinson’s disease is overlooked because of the overlap between motor and mental slowing. Treatment includes psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy. Several of the newer antidepressants are effective in patients with Parkinson’s disease, as is electroconvulsive therapy. Anxiety is common in patients with Parkinson’s disease and can interfere with their response to treatment. Psychosis can occur with any of the drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease. Some of the atypical neuroleptics, as well as electroconvulsive therapy, can be helpful.

Parkinson’s disease is commonly associated with psychiatric morbidity, but fortunately, many effective treatments are available.

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease is commonly associated with psychiatric morbidity, which includes depression, anxiety, and dopaminergic psychosis. These compound the patient’s predicament. Fortunately a variety of effective treatments is available. This article reviews the diagnosis and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychosis in Parkinson’s disease, and offers strategies for effective management.

Depression

Symptoms and differential diagnosis

Diagnosis

Treatment

Psychological support

Pharmacotherapy

Electroconvulsive therapy

Anxiety

Psychosis

Table. Parkinson’s disease medication, side effects, and management

Medication

Memory Or Thinking Problems

Having issues with thinking and processing things could mean your disease is progressing. Parkinsons is more than a movement disorder. The disease has a cognitive part as well, which means it can cause changes in the way your brain works.

During the final stage of the disease, some people may develop dementia or have hallucinations. However, hallucinations can also be a side effect of certain medications.

If you or your loved ones notice that youre getting unusually forgetful or easily confused, it might be a sign of advanced-stage Parkinsons.

Recommended Reading: Medications For Parkinson’s Patients

How Early Can Parkinson’s Disease Be Diagnosed

A: A true determination of Parkinson’s disease is a clinical diagnosis, which means certain motor symptoms have to be present, but we now know more about some early signs of Parkinson’s disease that, while they don’t always lead to the condition, are connected.

In terms of how early we can detect, we can detect a mutation that is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s as early as birth. In the minority of patients who may have a known Parkinson’s-related genetic mutation , that gene could be tested for at any time in life. At the same time, that’s not diagnosing Parkinson’s it’s just identifying the risk.

Early warning signs are what we call prodromal, or preclinical, symptoms. Prodromal symptoms are an early warning sign that someone might get Parkinson’s disease. Though some of these symptoms have a very high probability of signaling future Parkinson’s, having one or more of them is still not a 100 percent probability. Some prodromal symptoms are loss of sense of smell, REM behavior disorder, anxiety or depression, and constipation.

Managing Anxiety And Depression In Parkinsons Disease

A combination of medication and other therapies can help ease non-motor symptoms affecting those with Parkinsons disease.

Most people think of Parkinsons disease as marked only by tremors, muscular rigidity and slow, imprecise movements, but Parkinsons is more than a movement disorder.

Most people with Parkinsons also have quite a few non-motor symptoms, such as anxiety, depression and psychosis. Many of these symptoms may have started before the Parkinsons disease became obvious.

The effects are widespread. Several years ago, a large clinical study of more than 1,000 people with Parkinsons disease of various durations demonstrated that only 1.4 percent of the participants did not report any non-motor symptoms.In other words, 98.6 percent of the study participants had some form of NMS. Psychiatric symptoms accounted for 60 percent, while visual hallucinations that could have signified psychosis were present in about 35 percent of patients.

Thats why taking action is important. If you or a loved one has had a new diagnosis of Parkinsons disease, we recommend an immediate evaluation for depression, mood and cognitive problems. Frequent monitoring should also be done throughout the course of the disease.

Here are some of the common symptoms and treatment methods for Parkinsons patients with depression and dementia:

Read Also: How To Tell Difference Between Parkinson’s And Essential Tremor

Anxiety As An Early Warning Sign

It may be that anxiety disorders that are diagnosed as much as two decades before Parkinsons disease may be a harbinger of the disease, says Gregory Pontone, M.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Movement Disorders Psychiatry Clinic. Parkinsons disease, like Alzheimers disease, has what experts call a long approach, he says, and anxiety may be part of that long approach.

One theory is that the anxiety that comes before Parkinsons results from the same underlying changes in brain chemistry and circuitry. Others believe that Parkinsons disease and anxiety share a common genetic risk factor. Either way, taking a closer look at the link can help doctors understand the causes of Parkinsons and treat patients with the disease.

Other Diseases That Have Similar Symptoms To Parkinsons Disease

Now, I just want to address something you may have noticed here. Many of these symptoms and signs could also apply to other diseases. Is it an overreaction to assume that if your dog twitches a bit it is definitely Parkinsons disease?

Well yes and no. Certainly, all of these symptoms could indicate other ailments.

Lets go through a few now:

• Generalized tremor syndrome: Yep, its a thing! Your dog may tremor for no real reason. This doesnt have the same stiffness and limited joint mobility that Parkinsons does.
• Kidney disease: Kidney disease can cause depression, anxiety, and tremoring. Youll most likely see vomiting and infrequent urination come with this and can lead to euthanasia.
• Arthritis: A friend of mine has an arthritic dog and stiffness is a real problem. Having inflexible joints can also cause your dog to limp. Arthritis is differentiated by joint pain so your dog may be more vocal if this is what they are suffering.
• Seizure disorders: Did you know that dogs can suffer from epilepsy? Seizures can be caused by all kinds of things. They can also be the entire ailment all by themselves.

As you can see, the signs of Parkinsons in dogs could belong to an entirely different diagnosis. So, if you notice stiffness or tremoring, it is best to have your professional veterinarian make a formal diagnosis.

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Why Is Expert Care Important

Early expert care can help reduce PD complications. Findings show that 60 percent of people with Parkinson’s fall short of getting the expert care they need. The National Parkinson Foundation has estimated that about 6,400 people with Parkinson’s die unnecessarily each year due to poor care.

Trained neurologists will help you recognize, treat and manage the disease. Common approaches include medication, surgical treatment, lifestyle modifications , physical therapy, support groups, occupational therapy and speech therapy. The best approach is interdisciplinary care, where you are seen by multiple specialists on a regular basis and all of the specialists talk and arrange the best possible coordinated care. This is what is referred to as a patient-centric approach to Parkinson’s care.

Reviewanxiety: An Ignored Aspect Of Parkinsons Disease Lacking Attention

Anxiety is a neuropsychiatric complication of Parkinsons disease .

Anxiety has been given less attention while treating PD.

Management of anxiety is crucial to improve quality of life of the affected patients.

Use of complementary based medicines could be beneficial.

Alternative approaches will lead to novel therapeutic treatment for PD and various complications associated with it.

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Depression And Parkinsons Disease

Depression can be a disabling symptom of PD, and it may negatively affect a persons long-term outcomes by causing them to withdraw from social situations, avoid activities like exercise, or being more reluctant to seek care. Some people experience depression as an early symptom of PD before the characteristic motor symptoms appear.2

Depression has a variety of symptoms, not all of which are experienced by every patient. Symptoms of depression can also range in severity or vary over time. Common symptoms of depression include:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies or activities, especially those which were previously enjoyable
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
• Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight changes
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Restlessness, irritability
• Persistent physical symptoms3

There are many treatment options for depression that work well in people with PD. There are several types of antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors , tricyclic antidepressants, and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors . Many people also experience relief from their depression through psychological counseling, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. In addition, regular exercise has been shown to ease symptoms of depression.1,4

Types Of Anxiety Disorders Found In Parkinson’s Disease

Generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, phobic disorder, agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified have all been identified in patients with Parkinson’s disease . The diagnoses in the patients with Parkinson’s disease appear to be clustered in the panic disorder, phobic disorder, and generalised anxiety disorder areas.

Box 1: Anxiety disorders found in Parkinson’s disease

• Generalised anxiety disorder

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A Day In The Life Of A Parkinsons Disease Sufferer

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A Typical Morning

What is Parkinsons disease?

Parkinsons disease is largely thought of as a condition of affecting motor control. James Beck, PhD, vice president of scientific affairs for the Parkinsons Disease Foundation , says that while every case is different, the four cardinal signs of the disease are tremor, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia or akinesia , and problems with walking and balance. These symptoms occur as cells in a part of the brain known as the substantia nigra begin to die off, for reasons that remain unknown. These cells produce an important chemical neurotransmitter known as dopamine. Without dopamine, the brain is unable to control muscle movement. But dopamine is so much more than that. You may have heard it referred to as the happiness neurotransmitter, so its no surprise that two of the non-motor symptoms of Parkinsons disease are depression and apathy. Add to that pain from rigid muscles, blood pressure instability, drooling, sweating, constipation, impaired cognition, and absolutely crushing fatigue, and youve got yourself a disease that affects just about every facet of life. A person with mid-stage Parkinsons disease walking around may look like they are drunk, says Dr. Beck. They commonly have slurred speech, and swallowing is another problem, which can contribute to drooling. This constellation of motor effects looks like drunkenness, but their minds are clear.

Treatment for Parkinsons

Getting Help

Anxiety And Antiparkinsonian Medications

There is no consensus on whether antiparkinsonian medications are responsible for symptoms of anxiety in Parkinson’s disease.

Stein et al found that the levodopa dose was similar in anxious and non-anxious patients. Hendersonet al noted that 44% of patients with Parkinson’s disease noticed anxiety symptoms before starting levodopa. Menza et al found that the levodopa dose did not significantly correlate with anxiety levels: they suggested that anxiety in patients with Parkinson’s disease is unlikely to be a side effect of levodopa treatment. In contrast, Vasquez et al found that panic attacks were related to levodopa therapy but not to other agonist drugs.

Lang reported anxiety in five of 26 patients when pergolide was added to their treatment regimen. Menza et al found no differences in measures of anxiety in patients receiving or not receiving pergolide. Menzaet al found no differences in measures of anxiety in patients receiving or not receiving selegeline.

The temporal relationship between panic attacks and off periods have led some authors to suggest that panic attacks may be related to falling brain levodopa levels. Anxiety fluctuations may be an important component of levodopa induced fluctuations. In a double blind placebo controlled trial, Maricle et al found that anxiety levels fell and motor performance improved during a levodopa infusion.

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The Hidden Symptoms Of Parkinson’s

Anxiety, together with insomnia, is now the symptom of Parkinson’s that rules my life the most, because of the way it reveals itself. There’s no way of predicting an anxiety attack, it’s hard to manage and it’s even harder to explain to other people.

I’m regularly told I look well and not at all like I have Parkinson’s. It’s a well-meaning compliment, but what does a person with Parkinson’s actually look like? Anxiety, like many of my symptoms, is completely hidden to the untrained eye.

My own experience of Parkinson’s is far more all-encompassing. I have a growing list of lesser-known non-motor symptoms taking their toll. But it is often the physical symptoms of Parkinson’s that define people’s perceptions of someone living with the condition.

I’m fully aware how fortunate I am that when fully medicated and ‘on’, I appear symptom-free on the surface. But that doesn’t mean I’m not struggling or that I dont have Parkinson’s. I’ve been on medication for the past 20 years, which has managed my physical symptoms well. But there’s no medication or quick fix for anxiety.

What The Research Says

Researchers believe that depression and anxiety in Parkinson’s are due to changes in brain chemistry that are caused by the disease itself. The same pathways that create dopamine in the brain which are impacted in PD also create the brain chemical serotonin, which regulates mood, appetite and sleep. Scientists think that the effect of Parkinson’s on serotonin, as well as other brain chemicals that support mood, is responsible for symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation actively pursues research that can shed light on the connection between mood changes and Parkinson’s and lead to treatment breakthroughs for people living with the disease. The MJFF-funded Study of Antidepressants in Parkinson’s Disease found that certain antidepressants eased depression in people with Parkinson’s without worsening movement symptoms. Still, more work remains to find more and better treatments for depression and anxiety. Researchers are looking at several different therapies: medications such as buspirone for anxiety, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and non-invasive brain stimulation for both depression and anxiety. Join recruiting studies in your area through MJFF’s online tool Fox Trial Finder.

Read Also: What Is Bradykinesia In Parkinson’s

Living With A Dog With Parkinsons Disease

Living with a dog with any kind of degenerative disease can be challenging. Your dog is likely very confused about what is going on with their body. A dog with Parkinsons disease will feel out of control and betrayed by their body almost.

Its important to be gentle with your dog during this time.

Though Parkinsons disease is incurable and progressive, there are some things your vet may recommend that will help with your dogs quality of life for as long as possible.

Do People Actually Lose Their Sense Of Smell With Parkinson’s

A: Yes. It’s a condition called anosmia, and if you have it with no other disease , you have at least a 50 percent chance of developing Parkinson’s disease in the next five to 10 years. What happens is that alpha-synuclein, the protein that clumps in the part of the brain that regulates dopamine and leads to Parkinson’s disease, also aggregates in the olfactory bulb, the part of the brain responsible for your sense of smell. This happens well before the protein accumulations cause motor symptoms.

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Changes In Sleeping Patterns

As Parkinsons progresses, you can also develop problems with sleep patterns. These may not happen in the early stages, but can be noticeable later. You might wake up often in the middle of the night or sleep more during the day than you do at night.

Another common sleep disturbance for people with Parkinsons is rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. This is when you start acting out your dreams in your sleep, such as verbally and physically, which can get uncomfortable if someone is sharing your bed. Dr. Rundle-Gonzalez says many times a bed partner will be the one to notice sleep problems.

REM sleep behavior disorder can also happen in people who dont have Parkinsons. However, if this isnt something youve dealt with before, its likely related to your disease. There are medications your doctor can prescribe to help you sleep comfortably through the night.

The Relationship Between Stress Anxiety And Parkinsons Disease

This blog post explains that stress and anxiety can be difficult to discern from one another because they manifest in indistinguishable ways. PD symptoms worsen and can become less responsive to medication during periods of stress. Adding medications to control anxiety can be helpful, but lifestyle modifications including exercise, meditation, psychotherapy and other complementary therapies should be considered.

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