Coping with anxiety, depression and stress

[Ally]

I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone in the world who doesn’t have some experience – either personally or via someone close to them – with anxiety, depression and/or stress. Many people with Parkinson’s also report experiencing these mental health challenges, and this is the subject of a recent column by Lori DePorter. You can listen to the column as a flash briefing here.

What did you think of what Lori shared? How has PD affected your mental health and capacity for stress? What do you find helps you take care of your mental health and manage stress?

[fakhiuddin ahmed]

Is there a description of advanced PD? Do they become immobile, incontinent, unable to feed themselves or by meds and other treatments, few if any patients ever reach such a state? Does cocaine or cannabis help?

[Mary Beth Skylis]

Fakhiuddin Ahmed, I found this to be helpful when learning about the advanced stages of Parkinson’s: https://www.parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/What-is-Parkinsons/Stages-of-Parkinsons

As for cocaine and cannabis, I think that it could be helpful to ask a healthcare practitioner about their impacts on Parkinson’s. They’ll be better equipped to answer.

[derrickmyle]

People with Parkinson’s disease often report that excessive stress and anxiety make their symptoms worse, such as bruising, dyskinesia, and tremors. People with PD also recognize that chronic stress seems to exacerbate non-motor symptoms, especially anxiety and depression.

Well, anxiety in Parkinson’s patients can be treated by following steps.

Behavioral psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Relaxation techniques

[Mary Beth Skylis]

My dad has identified this, as well. He seems to think that his tremors are worse when he’s feeling stressed out or anxious.

[Author]

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