Parkinson’s is often recognised as a motor disease but there are several non-motor conditions that can arise, one of these being depression. Depression is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disturbances associated with Parkinson’s and can be a leading contributory factor to reduced quality of life.
Feeling down from time to time is not unnatural, but if lack of interest in life or feelings of sadness become frequent or prolonged it can signal the onset of depression. It can occur at any time for any number of reasons and it is important that it is recognised so that help and support can be provided.
It is thought that 40 - 50% of people with Parkinson’s experience depression, however this is very hard to measure. The following are symptoms of depression commonly found in people with Parkinson’s:
- high levels of anxiety
- lowered sexual arousal
- slowed movement
- difficulty in taking the initiative in making plans
- decreases in concentration
- pessimism
- irritability.
Also experienced – but less commonly - are:
- self blame
- guilt
- delusions
- a sense of failure
- self-destructive thoughts.
If you have depression it will also affect those around you, particularly your carer, friends and family. Much of this information in this section may be helpful to them too. Further information may also be found in the Carers section of this website.
