Treatment Of Anxiety In Parkinson’s Disease

Stress Management For Pd

It is not uncommon for the stresses of daily life feeling overwhelmed, under prepared and over stimulated to cause anxiety and unrest. These psychological issues can impact your health and even exacerbate the symptoms of Parkinsons disease . That is why it is important to assess what may be causing stress and learn how to deal with the situations that give rise to anxiety. Meditation, yoga or Tai Chi and deep breathing can help restore a sense of calm. Whether you are living with Parkinsons or caring for someone with PD, finding balance can help you cope with the daily stresses of life. This may mean limiting your exposure to environmental stressors or using complementary therapies. Such approaches are wonderful ways to lower anxiety, lower blood pressure and improve your all-around health.

How Do I Cope With Depression Related To Parkinsons Disease

Besides treatments, other strategies can boost your mood and increase your self-worth:

• Ask for help. Remember, depression isnt a sign of weakness. Its caused by chemical changes in your brain.
• Connect with Parkinsons disease support groups in person or online.
• Exercise several times a week.
• Maintain your hobbies and activities.
• Schedule fun activities in advance so you have things to look forward to.
• Identify small tasks you can accomplish each day, such as completing a chore, exercising or calling a friend.
• Take part in social activities so you dont feel isolated.
• Try complementary therapies, such as music therapy, relaxation techniques, massage, acupuncture and meditation.

What Depression Looks Like

Depression isnât the same for everyone. You might feel sad or lose interest in things you normally enjoy. You might feel upset and edgy. You could have trouble sleeping. Itâs more than just feeling sad.

It isnât always easy to spot, especially in yourself. Your family, friends, or doctor may notice it before you do.

Symptoms of depression often include:

• Changes in appetite
• Trouble paying attention

Don’t Miss: What To Do For Parkinson’s Cough

How Can I Help Myself

It is important to remember that anxiety is common and anxiety disorders can be effectively treated. Dont be afraid to say if you feel anxious this is the first step to getting help and overcoming your worries.

One of the most important ways in which you can help yourself is by staying positive. Below are some suggestions that might be helpful:

• Educate yourself about Parkinsons, its cause and treatment. Being informed generally helps you to feel more in control.
• Take an active role in managing your illness.
• Confront difficult situations rather than avoiding them, but try not to be disheartened if things dont turn out the way you hoped.
• Keep socially active to avoid social isolation.
• Let people know you have Parkinsons when asking for help.
• Be open with your doctor and other healthcare professionals mention if something is worrying you.
• Keep doing the activities you enjoy research has shown that keeping active can improve mood.
• Pace yourself know and accept your limitations and accept that these may change with time.
• Try to stay relaxed some complementary therapies such as Yoga and Tai Chi may help.
• Accept help when you need it.
• Contact your local Parkinsons organisation or other support groups.

Your carer, friends and family can also help by encouraging you to practise relaxation techniques. They may also suggest that you discuss anxiety with your doctor if they feel that it is affecting your quality of life.

How Are Cognitive Changes In Pd Different Than Alzheimers Disease

Overall, dementia produces a greater impact on social and occupational functioning in PD than Alzheimers due to the combination of motor and cognitive impairments.

There is some overlap between symptoms and biological changes seen in Alzheimers and PD. However, it is less likely for both disorders to occur at the same time. Development of dementia in people with PD represents progression of the disease, usually after several years of motor impairment.

Dementia may or may not occur in people with PD. According to recent research, 30% of people with Parkinsons do not develop dementia as part of the disease progression.

May be as common as depression in Parkinsons.

While less studied, up to 40% of people with PD experience some form of anxiety.

Can interfere with memory storage, disrupt attention and complex task performance. For example, most people remember going blank on a school exam when feeling anxious.

Negatively impacts social life. People with poorly controlled anxiety often avoid social situations, which can impact family and work relationships.

People with PD may experience anticipatory anxiety in situations where they have to use cognitive skills.

Similar to depression, successful treatment can lead to improvement of cognitive problems related to anxiety.

Don’t Miss: Alternative Treatment For Parkinson’s Disease

When Should I Talk To My Healthcare Provider

Talk to your healthcare providers about your mood at every appointment. Talking about it regularly will prompt you to open up. And it will help your healthcare providers notice symptoms of depression early so they can provide care.

If you start to think about hurting yourself, call a healthcare provider immediately. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.8255. This hotline connects you to a national network of local crisis centers for free and confidential emotional support. The centers support people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In an emergency, call 911.

A note from Cleveland ClinicDepression from Parkinsons disease isnt a sign of weakness or something you have to live with. Its related to chemical changes in your brain, and treatments can help. Talk to your healthcare provider about your mood, especially if you feel down for weeks at a time. Several strategies can help you feel better. You can still take part in things you enjoy and better manage the symptoms of Parkinsons disease.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/20/2020.

References

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.

Also Check: Is Coffee Bad For Parkinson’s Disease

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.

Tech Advances For Parkinson’s Open Door To Treatment

Fasano is excited about the possibilities this new technology opens up. He hopes that soon patients all over Canada will be able to receive treatment without having to travel distances, as long as they have an internet connection.

The NeuroSphere technology can also help patients with a variety of neurological ailments. DBS is also approved to treat essential tremor disorder, dystonia, and epilepsy, Fasono said. In the future it may also be approved to treat other afflictions like obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and more.

One added bonus, Fasano said, is that patients can be examined at home in their everyday environments. This allows doctors to program the technology to best meet the patients daily needs.

After years of unsuccessful treatments for Parkinson’s, he said he was almost ready to give up.

“My specialist here in Newfoundland looked at me one day and said, ‘There’s nothing more I can do for you,'” Martin said. Fortunately, that specialist suggested he look into DBS treatment. With the help of his sister who lives in Toronto, Martin made the long trip for an assessment. Within a week, he said he was called back to undergo surgery. He was released the same day and, thankfully, hasn’t had to travel back again since.

Recommended Reading: Current Treatment For Parkinson’s Disease

The Pharmacology Of Cannabis

The two primary components of marijuana are delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol and cannabidiol . THC and CBD act on the cannabinoid receptors type 1 and type 2 , which are primarily found throughout the nervous system and on cells of the immune system. The way that THC and CBD acts on these two receptors is different and may help explain the different effects mediated by each of these compounds. For example, THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana and causes alterations in perception and mood. CBD, on the other hand, can reduce anxiety and may have anti-inflammatory properties.

The various compounds present in different marijuana plants and their variable effects on the CB1 and CB2 receptors make cannabis studies difficult to conduct. When researchers study the effects of a medication, dosages are controlled and often set to a specific number of milligrams. When testing medical marijuana, the dosage administered can vary dramatically depending on the plant and method of administration.

Parkinsons Symptoms And Stress

Although tremor in particular tends to worsen when a person is anxious or under stress, all the symptoms of PD, including slowness, stiffness, and balance problems, can worsen. Symptoms, particularly tremor, can become less responsive to medication. The solution in these situations is not to increase medication but to find ways of reducing stress. Read on for tips on how to do that.

Read Also: Exercises For Parkinson’s Tremor

Anxiety And Parkinsons Disease

This 2-page fact sheet explains that there are four types of anxiety. It outlines the psychological and biological factors that contribute to feelings of anxiety, as well as how anxiety is diagnosed and treated with both psychotherapy and non-conventional therapies. Tips for living with anxiety are also outlined.

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

Read Also: Cost Of Living With Parkinson’s Disease

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.

Managing Stress And Anxiety In Pd

Anxiety in PD may need to be treated with medication in order for a person to regain his/her quality of life. The medications used for anxiety are typically the same medications used for depression in PD and these include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as sertraline and paroxetine and selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors such as venlafaxine. Occasionally, a group of medications called benzodiazepines, can be used to treat the anxiety of PD.

Also Check: Do Parkinson’s Tremors Come And Go

Treatment For Anxiety And Depression

Your doctor might suggest medication, talk therapy, and lifestyle changes like exercise and social activities. Many doctors find that a combination of treatments works best.

Everyoneâs different, so the doctor will base your treatment on your needs. Be patient. It may take time to figure out what works best for you.

Your doctor can prescribe antidepressants like SSRIs, SNRIs, or benzodiazepines, which are anti-anxiety medications. They might adjust the levels of your Parkinsonâs medications to see how it impacts your mood.

Talk therapy, which is also called psychotherapy, can help you understand your anxiety and depression and give you tools to manage your symptoms.

Your therapist may try cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, to help you change negative thought patterns and learn how to react to situations in a better way.

You can also get help through group therapy or support groups. Theyâre good for connecting with other people who relate to what youâre going through, sharing your thoughts, and learning from other peopleâs experiences.

Mood Changes In Parkinson’s

When faced with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease , it is understandable to feel depressed or anxious. But mood disorders such as depression and anxiety are clinical symptoms of Parkinson’s, just as are slowness of movement and tremor. In fact, up to half of all people with Parkinson’s may suffer from depression and/or anxiety at some point during the course of their disease. Like all symptoms of PD, mood changes are different for different people. Some people with depression feel sad and lose interest in things they used to enjoy, while others feel irritable and have difficulty sleeping. People with anxiety often feel overly worried or concerned, or say they are “on edge.”

The good news: Over the past decade, researchers have placed increasing focus on these aspects of PD, and today we have a better understanding of how to treat mood disorders in Parkinson’s.

Also Check: What Is Lewy Body Parkinson

How Can Parkinsons Disease Cause Depression

For many people, the challenges of Parkinsons disease are enough to cause depression.

But scientists believe that depression in Parkinsons might also come from changes to certain chemicals in the brain:

• Dopamine.

• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed.
• Losing interest in eating or taking care of yourself.
• Moving or talking too slow.
• Thinking a lot about dying or wishing to die.

How Can I Notice Depression Symptoms Earlier

The earlier you notice and report symptoms of depression, the earlier your healthcare providers can help you. Consider the following:

• Ask a friend or family member to look out for any changes in your mood, since you might not notice.
• Bring a loved one to your appointments. They can contribute to conversations about your mood.
• Ask a healthcare provider to screen you for depression at least once a year. Many questionnaires and tools are able to identify depression.
• Talk with your healthcare providers about your mood at every appointment. Mention if your mood has changed since your last appointment or if you have any symptoms of depression.

Don’t Miss: Foods Not To Eat With Parkinson’s Disease

Anxiety And Depression In Parkinsons And How To Manage Them

Approximately 50-60% of people living with Parkinsons experience varying levels of depression and anxiety. Learn about the differences between depression and anxiety and how they are related different types of depression and anxiety causes of depression and anxiety in people living with PD when and how to treat depression and/or anxiety the latest in treatments, including non-pharmacological interventions. The speaker is Gregory Pontone, MD, director, Johns Hopkins Parkinson’s Disease Neuropsychiatry Clinic.

Is Medical Marijuana An Option For Me

What’s next for a person with PD who wants to know if medical marijuana is an option? “Marijuana should never be thought of as a replacement for dopaminergic and other approved therapies for PD,” said Dr. Michael S. Okun, the Parkinson’s Foundation National Medical Advisor.

Research is still needed to determine how medical marijuana should be administered and how its long-term use can affect symptoms of PD. To keep people safe, states that legalize medical marijuana will eventually need to develop training programs for doctors and medical teams that prescribe medical marijuana. Consult your doctor to see if medical marijuana is an option for you.

The Parkinsons Foundation Consensus Statement on the Use of Medical Cannabis for Parkinsons Disease is designed to help guide the PD community in making informed decisions about using cannabis for Parkinsons. The statement is based on the input from 46 experts who attended the Foundations first-ever medical marijuana convening. Read it now.

Page reviewed by Dr. Chauncey Spears, Clinical Assistant Professor and Dr. Sydney M. Spagna, Clinical Fellow at the University of Michigan.

Don’t Miss: Loss Of Balance Parkinson Disease

Other Complementary Therapies For Anxiety In Pd

Complementary therapies are a growing group of treatments which may improve the symptoms of PD without medication. I have written past blogs on two complementary therapy approaches for several symptoms of PD art therapy and music therapy.

Various complementary therapy modalities have been developed that may lower stress and anxiety in PD. These include yoga, massage, the Alexander technique, neurofeedback and others. Some of these therapies have been studied in small trials with data suggesting that they may be helpful for the anxiety of PD. Others have not yet been studied, although anecdotally, people with PD may feel that they are very useful in combatting anxiety. In general, this group of therapies may be effective for the anxiety of PD but needs to be studied more rigorously.

How Stress And Anxiety Are Related To Parkinsons And What You Can Do About It

People with Parkinsons disease often notice that their symptoms are worse when they are under stress. Stress, or emotional strain due to difficult circumstances, is an inevitable part of life for everyone, and can be caused for example, by tension with family or employers. Stress is therefore a response to an external situation.

In addition to life stress, people with PD may experience anxiety as part and parcel of their PD itself, caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Anxiety is a very common non-motor feature of PD and is often accompanied by depression. Anxiety can also fluctuate throughout the day along with dopamine levels, with anxiety experienced most acutely during OFF periods.

Anxiety is fueled by internal forces and can persist when all external causes of stress have been resolved. It is often difficult for a person with PD to separate out stress and anxiety because practically, they may manifest in indistinguishable ways. Both can cause excessive worry, poor sleep, and inattention, as well as physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, trouble breathing, sweating and headaches. In a past blog, I explored the perspectives of people with PD as it relates to their mental health.

Don’t Miss: Treatment For Parkinson’s Disease Usually Includes