## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [Living with Parkinson's](/living-with-parkinsons) - [Emotional & Mental Health](/living-with-parkinsons/emotional-mental-health) ## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [Living with Parkinson's](/living-with-parkinsons) - [Emotional & Mental Health](/living-with-parkinsons/emotional-mental-health) # Depression & Mood ## 💡 Quick Summary - Depression and [anxiety](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/anxiety "Anxiety") are common in people with Parkinson’s and can impact health more than movement symptoms. - 50% of people with PD will experience some form of depression. - Symptoms include president sadness, crying and loss of interest in usual activities. - Causes may include brain changes, stress or social isolation. - Most depression can be treated with medications, therapy or both. Seek help early, watch for warning signs including [suicidal thoughts](/living-with-parkinsons/emotional-mental-health/depression-mood/suicide "Suicide & Parkinson's"). - Care partners are also vulnerable to depression. ![Man crouched over sitting on bed](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/depressionmood.jpg?itok=h3PF5ikS) It is normal to feel a sense of loss and sadness after a Parkinson’s disease (PD) diagnosis. But if these feelings linger for weeks or longer and affect your ability to function at home or enjoy pleasurable activities, you may be experiencing depression. The Parkinson’s Foundation **Parkinson’s Outcomes Project**, one of the largest clinical studies of Parkinson’s, found that taken together, depression and [anxiety](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/anxiety "anxiety") have the greatest impact on the health of people with PD, even more than the movement challenges. Depression is extremely common in people with Parkinson’s. Know the signs of depression and talk to your doctor about it. Unlike many movement symptoms, depression is often successfully treatable. Overcoming depression often requires a multi-faceted approach —including medication, therapy and lifestyle strategies. 50% of people with PD will experience some form of depression. 40% of people with Parkinson’s will experience an anxiety disorder. ## Making Sense of Depression In living with Parkinson’s, you many notice some negative changes in your mood. For some people, depression may be a temporary condition, related to coping with the disease. For others, depression can be long-lasting, triggered by chemical changes in the brain or ongoing feelings of powerlessness and fear that can occur when dealing with a chronic illness. If you think you may be depressed it is crucial that you discuss symptoms with your doctor. Some medical conditions or medications can cause symptoms that mimic depression. Once you explore the reasons behind the depression, you can find the treatment options that work for you. ### More About Depression Learn more about Depression, what causes it, how it’s diagnosed and tips for managing it. [Learn More](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/depression) ## Symptoms Symptoms of depression differ from person to person and can range from mild to severe. While people experience depression in differently, there are common symptoms to look for. - ### Common Symptoms - Persistent sadness - Crying - Loss of interest in usual activities and hobbies - Decreased attention to hygiene, medical and health needs - Feelings of guilt, self-criticism and worthlessness - Increased fatigue and lack of energy - Change in appetite or eating habits (such as poor appetite or overeating) - Loss of motivation - Aches and pains - Feelings of being a burden to loved ones - Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness - Reflections on disability, death and dying - Sleep difficulties (too little or too much) - Poor attention or difficulty concentrating - Feeling slowed down or restless - Thoughts of death or suicide ## Treatment If you think you may be depressed, never be afraid to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and work together to find the right treatment approach for you. Take depression seriously and treat it aggressively. In most cases, depression can be treated effectively with antidepressant medications or psychotherapy, or a combination. - ### Treatment Options - Psychotherapy - Medication - Exercise - Social support - Nutrition - Complementary therapies **The Parkinson’s Foundation recommends a holistic, comprehensive approach to depression.** ### More About Emotional Health Deep dive into mood changes and ways to help manage your emotional health with our book, [Mood: A Mind Guide to Parkinson's Disease](/library/audiobooks/mood "Mood: A Mind Guide to Parkinson’s Disease"). [Read/Order Now](/library/audiobooks/mood) ### Exercise Research shows that regular [**exercise**](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise "Exercise") can help ease the symptoms of both depression and anxiety. It also seems to help symptoms from returning once you’ve started to feel better. Exercise releases chemicals in the brain such as neurotransmitters, endorphins and endocannabinoids that make us feel good. It reduces immune system chemicals that can worsen depression, and it increases body temperature, which may have a calming effect. Increasing physical activity alone was shown in some studies to improve mood. Walking, gardening, housework, washing the car — any activity that gets you moving — can help improve your mood. Even adding small amounts of physical activity throughout your day can be useful. ## Mental Health Specialists There are many types of professionals who can treat depression. For help finding counseling in your area, check with your insurance provider or ask your primary care provider for a referral. - ### Social workers **Social workers** can help you and your family sort out and resolve issues associated with the daily demands of Parkinson’s and life in general (e.g., insurance, housing, disability, familial conflict and more). - ### Licensed clinical social workers and licensed professional counselors **Licensed clinical social workers** and **licensed professional counselors** both provide psychotherapy and many specialize in treating depression, anxiety and relationship issues. - ### Psychologists **Psychologists** work with individuals and family members to provide advice and counseling for coping with PD and other emotional stressors. Many also perform specialized testing of mood, cognition and other neuropsychiatric symptoms that can aid in diagnosis and treatment. - ### Neuropsychologists **Neuropsychologists** have additional expertise in how behavior and cognitive (thinking) skills are related to brain structure and symptoms. - ### Health psychologists **Health psychologists** focus on understanding the biological, psychological and sociological relationship between health and illness. They often help individuals manage the stress, anxiety and depression that can accompany a chronic illness like Parkinson’s. - ### Psychiatrists **Psychiatrists** are medical doctors who can prescribe medications and who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental, behavioral or emotional problems such as depression and anxiety. - ### Neuropsychiatrists **Neuropsychiatrists** specialize in testing for and treating mental health issues for people with disorders of the nervous system, including Parkinson’s. - ### Occupational therapists **Occupational therapists** are trained to provide services that support mental and physical health and wellness. They can help you learn coping strategies and create healthy routines to maintain physical and mental health. ## Increased Risk of Suicide People with Parkinson’s can feel a sense of helplessness at any stage of the disease. Feelings of heavy dread can often follow a new diagnosis, changing abilities and symptoms or the frustration of altering medications. Many with Parkinson’s may relate to these feelings and have found ways to work through them. However, if you are feeling stuck and your feelings have evolved into thoughts about suicide, we want you to know there are [resources](/living-with-parkinsons/emotional-mental-health/depression-mood/suicide "Suicide & Parkinson's") you can turn to for support. When asked, up to 30% of people with Parkinson’s have thought about suicide. There are different paths a person with Parkinson’s can take that lead to suicidal thoughts. Depression is a symptom of Parkinson’s that can lead to suicidal thoughts. Most people with PD will go undiagnosed or under-treated for depression, which can evolve into dark thoughts. It is important to remember that once diagnosed, depression is treatable. Depression can also be a side effect of Parkinson’s medications or be the result of social isolation or seasonal depression. ### More About Suicide Learn more about Parkinson’s and Suicide, along with warning signs and resources available to you 24/7. [Learn More](/living-with-parkinsons/emotional-mental-health/depression-mood/suicide) ## Mood Changes Everyone experiences changes in mood over the course of any given day, week, month and year. But “mood changes” is a broad term that can mean different things to different people. People with Parkinson’s, along with your caregivers, family and friends, experience a range of emotions over the course of Parkinson’s: shock and denial at diagnosis, or validation that your suspicions were confirmed; fear of the loss of control; frustration or shame as symptoms worsen; satisfaction as medications improve symptoms or from caring for a loved one; concern about the future and what to expect; exasperation, relief, anger, grief, joy. As the disease progresses, you will have to come to terms with it again and again. Emotional and behavioral changes are common in people with chronic diseases, but these changes are even more common in PD. The same neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine) that regulate movement also regulate our mood. Therefore, the same processes in the brain that lead to the more classical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can cause depression. When dopamine-producing cells in the brain die, movement and mood can be affected. In this case, depression is actually a symptom of PD, not a reaction to the diagnosis. - ### Is Parkinson’s affecting my mood? In addition to depression, other symptoms of Parkinson’s — such as anxiety, fatigue and apathy — can affect your mood. Mood can be defined in different ways reflecting positive or negative changes that are minor or major. Sometimes it’s hard to recognize these changes happening in yourself, especially if you’re not familiar with the symptoms. It can also help to ask your care partner, family or friends if they have noticed any changes. If you experience increasing sadness, hopelessness or anger/irritability or any of the signs listed above, it is time to seek help. - ### Care Partners are Also Vulnerable Your care partner, spouse, or family members who are close to you may feel the effects of your Parkinson’s, and can also be susceptible to depression. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance National Center on Caregiving, 40 to 70 percent of family caregivers have clinically significant symptoms of depression with about a quarter to half of these caregivers meeting the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder. The same signs listed above apply to care partners as well. If you notice your caregiver showing any of those symptoms, [caregiver fatigue or burnout](/resources-support/carepartners/caring-for-self "Caring for the Care Partner"), urge him or her to talk to someone about it. There are many options. *Page reviewed by Dr. Tracy Tholanikunnel, Assistant Professor of Movement Disorders at the University of Florida, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence.* ## Related Materials Videos & Webinars ### [ Expert Briefing: Depression and PD ](/library/videos/depression-treatment) [Watch Now](/library/videos/depression-treatment) Fact Sheets ### [ Combatting Depression ](/library/fact-sheets/depression) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/depression) Books ### [ Mood: A Mind Guide to Parkinson's Disease ](/library/books/mood) [Read Now](/library/books/mood) ## Related Blog Posts ![Cells](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/depressionpd-bloghero.png?h=ed9ce7df&itok=ph2L_n2_) Advancing Research ### [ Depression and PD: A Non-Drug Treatment Option ](/blog/research/depression-non-drug) READ NOW ![Asian couple being supportive](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/mentalhealthtips-conditionmoodsleep-blog.png?h=f0ffb5c0&itok=GxNXmMGr) Tips for Daily Living ### [ Mental Health Tips for Cognition, Mood and Sleep ](/blog/tips/mental-health-tips) READ NOW ![Man talking to therapist](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/sixtips-mentalhealthcounselor-blog.png?h=6d3401d2&itok=a15JQPBF) Tips for Daily Living ### [ 7 Helpful Tips for Finding Your Ideal Mental Health Counselor ](/blog/tips/finding-counselors) READ NOW ### Suicide Prevention Resources These resources are free, confidential and are available 24/7: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 Now: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, dial/text 988. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 [MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES](/living-with-parkinsons/emotional-mental-health) ### Connect with Others Explore our PD Conversations discussion groups to find answers or talk to others going through similar experiences. [Join Now](https://www.pdconversations.org/) - Share on Facebook - Share on X - Share on LinkedIn