Depression: The Hidden Symptom of Parkinson’s

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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