Parkinson's "Black Dog"!
As I have got older, I've noticed that my tendency to get anxious and worry has gotten measurably more pronounced. What was once an irritation can be at times a real issue, causing sleeplessness, poor concentration and other problems. It is having an impact on my life, although not yet a severe one.
But it is beginning to worry the wife.
What 10 years ago would have manifested itself as a mild concern, is now the cause of obvious stress. Or to put it another way, when my son goes out to a party, it's not the wife who stays up unable to sleep. Or considers calling the police when he's 10 minutes late. Or wishes that the parties he went to, still consisted of pass the parcel and fizzy pop.
It's me. But why?
Shortly after my diagnosis, I received an appointment for a meeting with my Parkinson's nurse, probably the most important medical individual in a patient's life, a critical source of advice and guidance, and a lot easier to get a hold of than your Neurologist.
What 10 years ago would have manifested itself as a mild concern, is now the cause of obvious stress. Or to put it another way, when my son goes out to a party, it's not the wife who stays up unable to sleep. Or considers calling the police when he's 10 minutes late. Or wishes that the parties he went to, still consisted of pass the parcel and fizzy pop.
It's me. But why?
Shortly after my diagnosis, I received an appointment for a meeting with my Parkinson's nurse, probably the most important medical individual in a patient's life, a critical source of advice and guidance, and a lot easier to get a hold of than your Neurologist.
TBH, he appears to be a semi-mythical figure, who only gets spotted on rare and infrequent occasions and for whom there is little scientific proof of his existence!
Either that or considering the chronic shortages of Neurologists in the UK, he's just too busy to see me.
Another one of those invisible symptoms and one that appears linked to anxiety with Parkinson's is depression. One meta-analysis suggested that 17% of Parkinson's sufferers suffer from a major depressive disorder and a further 35% suffer from clinically significant depressive symptoms (Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry "Suicide in Parkinson's").
So not insignificant numbers and a probable link. Indeed other sources support this conclusion by suggesting that up to 50% of People with Parkinson's experience depression.
Well, fortunately, I don't suffer from depression. I'm a miserable-looking sod, but that doesn't mean I'm depressed. However, in addition, I am finding that my anxiety is slowly getting worse and is having a greater impact on me and my life.
Researchers believe that depression and anxiety in PD are caused by changes in brain chemistry that are caused by the disease itself. It is directly linked to the Parkinsons. So does all this anxiety and depression have an impact on suicide rates? Well, studies of British populations have demonstrated a suicide risk over five times that of the general population matched for age and sex. Although from what I've read there have only been relatively limited studies on this issue. However, the evidence suggests that Parkinson's patients are maybe more likely to attempt suicide.
Following the usual questioning and physical check, the latter of which consisted of grabbing my leg and violently bending and unbending it. (And I have to say that the first time this happened it seemed a bit strange. But if you remember that chronic stiffness is a common PD symptom, you'll understand why). her last words to me on the way out were, "try and stay cheerful".
At the time I thought it was one of those things she just said, like, hello, goodbye, nice to meet you, a bit trite but meant well. But at that time there were a lot of things I didn't know about Parkinson's and like so many people what I did know were mainly the physical issues. But with Parkinson's, there are a large number of non-physical issues, invisible to the general public, but very real to the patient.
And one of those issues is anxiety. It is estimated that up to 40% of Parkinson's Patients suffer from anxiety, which is a higher level than those without Parkinson's. Indeed there is some evidence that it may be an early symptom of PD. It is believed from studies done that up to 40% of Parkinson's patients have been diagnosed with anxiety disorders up to 20 yrs before Parkinson's is diagnosed. (John Hopkins: Medicine).
At the time I thought it was one of those things she just said, like, hello, goodbye, nice to meet you, a bit trite but meant well. But at that time there were a lot of things I didn't know about Parkinson's and like so many people what I did know were mainly the physical issues. But with Parkinson's, there are a large number of non-physical issues, invisible to the general public, but very real to the patient.
And one of those issues is anxiety. It is estimated that up to 40% of Parkinson's Patients suffer from anxiety, which is a higher level than those without Parkinson's. Indeed there is some evidence that it may be an early symptom of PD. It is believed from studies done that up to 40% of Parkinson's patients have been diagnosed with anxiety disorders up to 20 yrs before Parkinson's is diagnosed. (John Hopkins: Medicine).
But anxiety isn't depression, what is the relationship between the two?
Another one of those invisible symptoms and one that appears linked to anxiety with Parkinson's is depression. One meta-analysis suggested that 17% of Parkinson's sufferers suffer from a major depressive disorder and a further 35% suffer from clinically significant depressive symptoms (Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry "Suicide in Parkinson's").
So not insignificant numbers and a probable link. Indeed other sources support this conclusion by suggesting that up to 50% of People with Parkinson's experience depression.
Well, fortunately, I don't suffer from depression. I'm a miserable-looking sod, but that doesn't mean I'm depressed. However, in addition, I am finding that my anxiety is slowly getting worse and is having a greater impact on me and my life.
Living with high levels of anxiety comes at a cost.
But will I get depression, do I have an increased likelihood? We know there is a link between anxiety, depression and Parkinson's, but is there a link between anxiety and depression? From various studies, it has been estimated that those with anxiety are up to 60% more likely to get depression than the general population. It would appear then that there is evidence that for those with PD, that anxiety and depression do have a complicated and complex relationship and this directly impacts on the patient. What is the impact of this? How do depression and anxiety impact those with PD
The Parkinsons Foundation (USA), Parkinson's Outcomes Project has found that taken together, mood depressions and anxiety have the greatest impact on a Parkinson's patient's health status. In effect, depression in Parkinson's is linked to faster physical and cognitive decline.
The Parkinsons Foundation (USA), Parkinson's Outcomes Project has found that taken together, mood depressions and anxiety have the greatest impact on a Parkinson's patient's health status. In effect, depression in Parkinson's is linked to faster physical and cognitive decline.
The wife has just laughed "to decline suggests you weren't already at the bottom, well I wouldn't put that view to the vote".
I don't know what I'd do without her care and support.
Great, doesn't the good news just keep rolling in! It's not certain I will get depression, but there is a good chance that I will and the impact of it, will speed up the general decline.
Now, this post isn't all about me.me, me. I am not suggesting that I am clinically depressed, what I am saying is that Anxiety and Depression are serious issues for the Parkinson's community and in addition, I have to accept that I am probably at greater risk of being diagnosed with clinical depression than the general population.
Great, doesn't the good news just keep rolling in! It's not certain I will get depression, but there is a good chance that I will and the impact of it, will speed up the general decline.
Now, this post isn't all about me.me, me. I am not suggesting that I am clinically depressed, what I am saying is that Anxiety and Depression are serious issues for the Parkinson's community and in addition, I have to accept that I am probably at greater risk of being diagnosed with clinical depression than the general population.
Being a miserable sod, I hope someone notices.
Researchers believe that depression and anxiety in PD are caused by changes in brain chemistry that are caused by the disease itself. It is directly linked to the Parkinsons. So does all this anxiety and depression have an impact on suicide rates? Well, studies of British populations have demonstrated a suicide risk over five times that of the general population matched for age and sex. Although from what I've read there have only been relatively limited studies on this issue. However, the evidence suggests that Parkinson's patients are maybe more likely to attempt suicide.
So yes it probably does.
So apart from becoming an over-anxious parent, what impact does this anxiety have on my life? Well in several ways, some not immediately obvious.
I hate getting ready for a holiday.
In addition, I start to feel physically sick before returning home, worrying about work and how I will cope.
I hate it if someone is dependent on me for something, I worry about letting them down. I will lose sleep over it, adding to my tiredness during the day.
Shopping, especially for others.
Potential conflict situations and conflict.
Speaking at meetings
Will anyone read my blog!
Now, these aren't unique to Parkinson's, or necessarily a symptom of anxiety, but these are all things I didn't use to worry about. And there are many other impacts on my life, many positive, so let's not get self-obsessed and self-pitying, there are many who experience worse than me.
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