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Until recently, depression as a symptom of Parkinson's Disease (PD) was
one of the most debilitating of all the symptoms of the disease. We now
know that the disease involves a chemical deficit in the brain and affects
physical movement as well as emotions. With the aid of advanced medical
care and self- help no one with PD should have to live with the deep
misery of untreated depression.
Untreated depression only exacerbates and speeds up the cruelty and
severity of PD. It causes difficulty in eating sleeping, and sex and is
often responsible for indigestion, constipation, and headaches. It saps an
already weak immune system, reduces incentive to care for oneself, lowers
the person's energy level, and exacerbates uncontrollable tremors and
muscle rigidity. Dr. Galvez, Cleveland Clinic Neurologist put it best when
he explained "we've learned that depression is a physical symptom of
PD just like tremor, akinesia, bradykinesia or gait problems; it's just
often difficult to identify"
While people with PD, and their families, often overlook signs of
depression, professional caregivers must become adept at identifying and
acknowledging depression. Many elderly people tend to ignore depression
because they were brought up in a time when depression was considered a
weakness, some sort of character flaw or moral weakness. Family members
are often preoccupied by more obvious physical symptoms of PD or think
that malaise, weight loss change in appetite irritability, and apathy all
just a normal part of growing old with PD.
This neglect is a shame because it is almost always treatable. As elder
care professionals we help them accommodate the disease, without
surrendering. We reassure them that depression is a chemical imbalance,
not a reflection of their moral fiber, and that it can be fairly easily
treated for example with medication, therapy, and support groups.
Treatment of depression as a symptom of PD depends more than ever on the
cooperation of the patient, the family, and knowledgeable team of health
care professional. The best cooperation is built on intelligent
understanding of the disease process itself.
Sherri Issa, LCSW, DABCM is the founder of TheraCounsel Senior
Counseling and Advocacy. For more information about Sherri visit her
website at
www.TheraCounsel.com
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