Addressing movement symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is often the first step to improving daily life and overall well-being. Attending to mental health is equally as important for quality of life, especially given that stress and anxiety can worsen PD movement symptoms.

Findings from our Parkinson’s Outcomes Project, the largest clinical study on PD, uncovered that mood symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, can have a greater impact on the health of people with Parkinson’s than movement issues.

Parkinson’s mood symptoms are often intertwined with everyday life challenges and the emotions of coping with a PD diagnosis. Whether or not you are experiencing depression and anxiety, recognizing your individual emotional needs, and building a strong support network that includes mental health professionals, is part of a comprehensive plan to live well with PD.

This article accompanies our virtual round-table conversation, Building Your PD Mental Health Team, which is part of our Mental Wellness Series. In this article, we highlight tips that can help you build a support team for your unique mental health needs.

• Reflect on your unique emotional journey.
  Take time to acknowledge the wide range of emotions that can come with PD — from sadness, grief and anger to relief, gratitude and hope — sometimes all at the same time!

  As your emotional needs change throughout your PD journey, so will the people and tools you rely on. Make a list of your mental health goals and concerns. Explore new and different types of support. Reaching out for help can seem scary and overwhelming but it is often an important step to getting the support you need to feel better.

• Foster positive connections.
  Surround yourself with people who will listen, uplift and encourage you when you need them. Look for support among your friends, family and community.

  Creating connections with others on a similar journey can remind us we are part of a larger, resilient community and keep us moving forward. PD Conversations is an online discussion group where you can discover a network of support. Ask your healthcare team or the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) about local support groups and explore events offered by your nearest Parkinson’s Foundation chapter.

• Rely on professional therapy.
  Psychologists, professional counselors, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists are trained mental health providers who can offer strategies to ease stress and build coping skills. For example, a therapist trained in cognitive behavioral therapy can help you develop tools to change behaviors and thoughts that impact your emotional health.

  Keep in mind that therapists are trained to listen and provide nonjudgmental feedback that both the people living with PD and care partners can benefit from.

• Find the right therapist.
  Mental health providers can be in short supply depending on where you live or what type of insurance you have. Be persistent and consider virtual sessions if you are unable to find a therapist in your area.

  It may be difficult to find a therapist who is familiar with PD, but those who are specialized in chronic illness, grief, anxiety and depression can often address common feelings and experiences of living with a PD diagnosis

  Look for a therapist who inspires feelings of comfort and confidence. Don’t be afraid to consider a different therapist if the relationship or chemistry doesn’t work for you. Your doctor, healthcare team, support group, friends or family may be able to offer referrals. The Parkinson's Foundation Helpline 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) can also provide information on therapy professionals in your community.

• Consider medication for mood.
  Sometimes people with PD need medications to improve depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges just as they do for the treatment of movement symptoms. Neurologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners or physician assistants are among the medical providers who can help find the right mood medication for you.

  An individualized approach that includes a combination of the right medications, counseling, exercise and social support has been found to be the best approach to supporting mental health.

Learn more about Parkinson’s Medications

• Make necessary lifestyle modifications.
  Exercise is medicine for PD. Not only is movement vital to managing movement symptoms (such as balance, strength and mobility) and overall disease progression, research has found that increasing physical activity and creating a regular exercise plan can improve depression and anxiety.

  Additionally, regular social engagement, relaxation time and non-PD-related activities help promote a healthy balance.

Helpful Resources

The Parkinson’s Foundation is here for you. Explore our mental wellness resources now:

• Mood: A Mind Guide to Parkinson's Disease
• Mental Health and PD
• 7 Helpful Tips for Finding Your Ideal Mental Health Counselor

April 17 to 23 marks National Volunteer Week! All year round, we rely on the passion and energy of volunteers serving as Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassadors, to make a difference in the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) every day. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you do in your community to spread awareness and make life better for people with Parkinson’s today.

Meet three amazing volunteers and read their inspiring stories that celebrate their contributions to the PD community.

Mark Kelm

People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council Vice Chair
Minnesota and Dakotas Chapter

Living with young-onset Parkinson’s disease while raising three kids with my wife has offered a few unique challenges and a superabundance of blessings. Like so many others experience, my PD rigidity, tremors, and balance issues make daily life tasks more taxing for me. It can be easy to allow these symptoms to make me sit on the sidelines of life. I’m sure many others have felt the same way.

I have come to understand, however, that we were not made to sit on the bench. We were created to actively engage in this life, making an impact in our own small but significant way.

When my wife and I told our kids of my diagnosis, they were in ninth, seventh and third grade. Our oldest daughter jumped right in, volunteering with the Parkinson’s Foundation Minnesota and Dakotas Chapter. She inspired us to participate as a family in Moving Day Twin Cities. That day, we became more aware of other opportunities to connect and volunteer. By getting involved, we have found that volunteering connects us to others, is good for our minds and bodies, and has brought fun and fulfillment to our lives… keep reading.

READ MARK’S FULL STORY

Elva Brown

Moving Day San Antonio Team Captain 
South Central Chapter

I do not do it alone. Like the saying goes, “There’s no I in team.” Going into my third year as team captain of “Team Sloth” for Moving Day San Antonio, I am very proud to volunteer with this energetic and passionate group to raise awareness of Parkinson’s. I may be the captain, but WE all do it all together. 

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is not always an easy conversation, especially for the other party. It was difficult for me as well at the very beginning. It took me four years to tell my family and friends that I, indeed had Parkinson’s. I just couldn’t say the words.

Eventually, I found and joined a support group. I learned that they were going to participate in a walk to raise funds for Parkinson’s. I thought to myself, “this is the time to tell my family and friends” … keep reading.  

READ ELVA’S FULL STORY

Dylan James

Chapter Board President
California Chapter

The impact my father’s Parkinson’s diagnosis had on my family was severe and palpable. I’m an only child, so it’s just my mom, dad and me. Shortly after Dad was told he had Parkinson’s in 2018, there was an aggressive narrowing of their independence in the span of about 90 days. My mom became the primary caregiver to my dad, and luckily, I only live about an hour away, so since I’m fairly close I can be there at almost a moment’s notice to help when needed.

It was hard on all of us — the uncertainty and unknowns related to my dad’s diagnosis, but also the change in the family dynamic.

I work in Nasdaq’s San Francisco, CA, office. About six months before my dad was diagnosed with PD, my boss at the time, Jeff Thomas, whose father also has PD, organized a company happy hour to support the Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day San Francisco event. In that first year, as we all familiarized ourselves with Parkinson’s, Jeff became a great resource and comfort since he had lived through what I was experiencing. He encouraged me to check out the Foundation’s resources and helped me get involved in Moving Day. 

Getting involved with the Parkinson’s Foundation felt like a way to do something for my mom… keep reading.  

READ DYLAN’S FULL STORY

Learn more about how you can become a Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassador.