Starting or ending a relationship
This page has information on starting a new relationship, and ending a relationship when you have Parkinson's.
How can Parkinson's affect dating and new relationships?
If you’re single, Parkinson’s shouldn’t stop you dating or beginning a new relationship. At some point, you’ll need to decide whether to tell a new partner about your condition, and how and when you’ll have this conversation.
This will often depend on different things, such as the severity of your symptoms and how strongly you feel about the person and relationship.
You may be happy to tell someone you’re dating about your Parkinson’s very early on. Other people are more comfortable getting to know someone better before they choose to share details of their condition.
Opening up to someone else about Parkinson’s is a very personal decision. Some people may not see it as an issue, but others may be anxious about it. It may lead to some people avoiding romantic situations completely, which can be very isolating.
Remember, not everyone needs to know, and not everyone needs to know straight away. So wait until you’re comfortable, there’s no ‘right’ time to share your diagnosis.
When you do tell someone you have Parkinson’s, they may have lots of questions for you. They may also have ideas or assumptions about the condition that might not be true. You’re the expert on Parkinson’s, so talk to the person about how it affects you.
If someone doesn’t ask lots of questions, don’t assume it’s because they aren’t interested, perhaps they want to get to know you more, not the condition.
You can’t decide for someone else if they want a relationship with you, so be yourself and see what happens. Some people may be put off by knowing you have Parkinson’s. But lots of people won’t and you may be surprised by their reaction.
When a relationship ends
Sometimes the effects of living with Parkinson’s and the demands it makes on a relationship can be a contributing factor to a relationship ending. But there are lots of other reasons why relationships end. Often, it isn’t due to one reason alone.
If your relationship has ended, it may take time to come to terms with the change. It often helps to talk to friends or family as this can make you feel less isolated and give a new perspective. You could also consider talking to a counsellor.
Setting yourself goals or making plans is very useful. Achieving something can be a great confidence booster and a helpful reminder that you’re moving on.
For some people we’ve spoken to, a separation or divorce has been a very difficult experience. Others have told us that they saw the end of their relationship as a change for the better.
Whatever the circumstances, if your relationship does end, it can feel overwhelming and you may worry about what the future holds. But other people are going through a similar experience and support is available.
Organisations such as Relate offer counselling for people coming out of a relationship. Your Parkinson’s local adviser can also offer emotional support to you and your family.
Get this information in other formats
If you prefer to have something printed to read or want to download a PDF, choose an option below:
Thank you
Thank you very much to everyone who contributed to or reviewed this information:
-
Debbie Keenan, BACP Senior Accredited Psychotherapist
-
Dr Jennifer Foley, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
-
Rose Ryan, Intimacy Coordinator for film and TV and Parky Partner.
This content will next be reviewed within 3 years of that date. If you'd like to find out more about how we put our information together, including references and the sources of evidence we use, please contact us at [email protected]