How Parkinson’s Disease Can Affect Your Mental Health

[Forum Moderator]

Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are all chemicals involved in regulating mood, energy, motivation, appetite, and sleep. Also, the brain’s frontal lobe, which is important in controlling mood, is known to be underactive in people with Parkinson’s disease. It’s no wonder that people with Parkinson’s may look sad, but as Sherri Woodland writes, looking sad and feeling sad are two different things.

Click here to read her reflections on having a “masked expression” and experiencing depression as a result of the disease.

How do you respond when people ask you if you’re feeling sad or depressed, especially when that isn’t true? Do you struggle with depression, and if so, are you accessing help?

[Author]

Posts