Mental Health and Parkinson’s Disease

If you’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, it can be overwhelming and scary.

Depression and anxiety are common in people with Parkinson’s disease, says psychologist Taylor Rush, PhD. About 50% of people experience signs of depression, while about 30% to 50% will have anxiety.

And while learning to live with any degenerative condition can increase your stress, you may wonder if there’s a connection between Parkinson’s disease and mental health.

Dr. Rush explains.

How are mental health and Parkinson’s disease connected?

Besides physical symptoms like tremors and stiffness, depression and anxiety are also common in people with this condition. In fact, depression and anxiety can exacerbate your other symptoms.

“Parkinson’s disease greatly affects dopamine production, and when dopamine is affected and there’s less of it circulating in the brain, it can influence the development of depression and anxiety symptoms,” explains Dr. Rush. “There’s a biologic component to this — it’s not just something you can snap out of.”

In addition to affecting your dopamine production, this disease can affect your levels of serotonin and norepinephrine.

“As a result, this can cause a chemical imbalance that creates more of a propensity towards anxiety,” she adds.

How to manage your mental health with Parkinson’s disease

Dr. Rush offers tips on how to best manage your mental health as you learn to navigate living with this disease.

Talk to your doctor

Don’t be afraid to talk to your primary care doctor or your neurologist about how you’re feeling. They can offer assistance and guidance and even recommend that you speak to a mental health professional.

“You may assume because you’re seeing a medical doctor that their scope isn’t emotional health,” says Dr. Rush. “But physicians are trained to talk to people about any mental health struggles. Be open with them about your mood changes and symptoms.”

Educate yourself

Knowledge is power. So, it’s important to learn more about Parkinson’s disease. But Dr. Rush cautions not to go down a rabbit hole of information (especially online) to the point that it becomes overwhelming.

“I advise people to look at well-cited medical information so you can educate yourself,” she says. “Having that knowledge can help you understand your symptoms and what you can do to manage them. It helps you realize that you’re not alone.”

Make sleep a priority

Dr. Rush reports that about 70% of people with Parkinson’s disease often have sleep issues, like insomnia, restless leg syndrome, daytime sleepiness and REM sleep behavior disorder.

Unhealthy sleep patterns can take a toll on your mental health and affect your overall energy levels. If you’re having trouble with sleep, stick to a consistent schedule and avoid naps. You also want to avoid using electronic devices before bedtime. You can discuss sleep issues with your doctor, too.

Start small

When it comes to managing your disease — whether that’s eating differently or starting an exercise program — it’s best to start small.

“You don’t have to do everything in one fell swoop. You have to balance your care a little at a time,” notes Dr. Rush. “If you want to be more social, reach out once a week to someone that you haven’t talked to in a while. If it’s to increase activity, take a short walk to the mailbox each day. Those are building blocks to create habits you can keep up over time.”

Be kind to yourself

“I talk a lot about the importance of self-compassion because we all tend to be our own worst critic,” empathizes Dr. Rush. “This can happen especially if you’ve never had any mental health symptoms before. You may see it as a sign of weakness.”

But she says to remember that learning how to adjust and manage your disease — and all the setbacks you may have along the way — is expected.

Be OK with delegating

When you have Parkinson’s disease, you may have less energy and can’t do everything the way you used to, such as cleaning your house or mowing the lawn. It’s OK to ask for help.

“Doing things that perhaps you would normally do might take up way more energy than it did a decade ago,” explains Dr. Rush. “If you can get help with certain tasks, that means you can then dedicate more energy to the things that are important to you, like family, social events and engaging in hobbies.”

Plan ahead

Social isolation can be a real concern. You may find it hard to want to engage in social activities — for example, maybe you’re going to fewer family functions or not attending your book club meetings.

Dr. Rush says planning ahead can help alleviate some of your worries — from how you’re feeling and what people may think to where you'll be. For example, Dr. Rush says it can be helpful to bring an extra dose of your medication and identify places where you can sit down if needed. She also suggests having a code word with your partner or caretaker that signals to them that you need to leave or need assistance.

Consider keeping a journal

Your doctor may suggest that you keep a journal or diary of certain aspects of your life, such as your medication, symptoms and mood. Doing so can help your care team make necessary adjustments to your medication or suggest additional lifestyle changes.

“A journal can give you a 30,000-foot perspective on some of the influences over your mental and physical health. For some people, taking two minutes each day to do a self-check-in helps. Ask yourself: How am I feeling physically? How am I feeling emotionally? How am I feeling about my day and what’s going on around me?” suggests Dr. Rush.

Try talk therapy

Another tool to manage the stress and anxiety that comes with a chronic diagnosis? Talking to a mental health professional.

“Therapy can be beneficial,” reassures Dr. Rush. “It can help you learn how to effectively manage stress and set realistic expectations for yourself. You’ll also learn how to manage the symptoms of depression and anxiety. And it can help you address any changes in your relationships that have occurred as a result of your Parkinson’s disease.”

Join a support group

It can be a great comfort to know you’re not alone. Consider joining a Parkinson’s disease support group where others can offer perspective and advice about how they’re managing their condition.

“It can be beneficial to spend time with a community of people who understand what you’re going through because they’re going through it, too,” says Dr. Rush. “It provides an extra layer of support that is important for everyone.”

Practice mindfulness

Certain activities can help reduce the stress in your life and stay focused on the present moment. Try meditation, yoga or breathwork — or even something as simple as reading a book or walking your dog. The goal is to stay focused and quiet all the chatter in your mind.

“You want to focus on what’s going on in the here and now, rather than what might happen in the future or what’s already happened in the past,” advises Dr. Rush. “Mindfulness helps you better understand in real time what your body needs, better understand what emotions you’re experiencing and how to best address them or manage them.”

Don’t forget about a balanced diet and exercise

What you eat and how often you move your body can play a big role in your emotional health.

“Exercise improves your mood and it’s the No. 1 habit that can slow the progression of your symptoms,” notes Dr. Rush. “A healthy diet supports brain health, helps you maintain energy and can reduce digestive difficulties such as constipation that are associated with Parkinson’s disease.”

Bottom line?

Living with Parkinson’s disease comes with its own unique set of challenges — both physical and mental. Focusing on your mental health is vital to living a meaningful, full life.

“Being able to acknowledge how you’re feeling helps you better understand where you are in the roadmap of coping,” says Dr. Rush. “Focus on the things that you have control over, rather than fixating on some of those things that you can’t. This can empower you to engage in healthy coping and communicate your needs to others.”