Parkinson's and mental health
You may experience a range of mental health issues alongside your physical Parkinson's symptoms.
These can range from depression and anxiety to hallucinations, memory problems and dementia.
Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health symptoms that affect people with Parkinson's. Nearly half of all people with Parkinson's have experienced one of these issues.
They can be triggered by the stress of receiving a diagnosis like Parkinson's. Or you might be anxious about work and the current cost of living. Symptoms can also be triggered by physical changes in the brain caused by the condition itself.
Anxiety is an ongoing feeling of unease, worry or fear. It is often a natural reaction to situations you find threatening or difficult. It usually disappears when the situation changes, or if you get used to the situation or can move away from it.
But some people become anxious for long periods of time and for no clear reason. This can make life difficult and may affect their work and social life.
Depression is usually diagnosed when someone has feelings of extreme sadness or a sense of emotional 'emptiness' for a long time.
It's more than a temporary feeling of sadness, unhappiness or frustration. These feelings may affect your ability to carry out day-to-day activities.
We're here for you
You can call our free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303.
It's open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm. Our trained advisers can provide support to anyone affected by Parkinson's, whether you're worried about symptoms, need more information about work, money and benefits, or just want to know what help is available to you.
You can also contact:
- the Mind Infoline on 0300 123 3393 for more information on mental health issues, which is open 9am to 6pm, from Monday to Friday.
- Samaritans on 116 123 at any time for free.
Look after your mental health
To help improve the amount and quality of your sleep, make sure your bedroom is quiet and comfortable. Try to go to bed at the same time each night.
Try to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Avoid too much alcohol and caffeine, especially late in the evening. These can make some of the physical symptoms of anxiety worse.
Research has shown that exercising 2 to 3 times a week, especially as part of a group, can help with depression. It can also boost your mood and help you sleep well.
Try doing things you enjoy, such as reading a book or listening to music. Some people find relaxation therapies and complementary therapies useful, such as aromatherapy, meditation and massage.
Get support for your mental health
Mental health and the physical symptoms of Parkinson's
People with Parkinson's regularly tell us that they feel their mental health issues make their physical symptoms of Parkinson's worse, and recent research has proven this. That's why it's important to talk to your GP, specialist or Parkinson's nurse about all of your Parkinson's symptoms, whether physical or mental.
Talk to others in your situation
There are lots of places where you can connect with people who may be experiencing similar issues to you.
Forum
You can also talk to people on our online forum. The community welcomes anyone affected by Parkinson's. It’s a great place to share information and have a chat - all you need is an email address.
Local groups
We also have local support groups across the country, including groups specifically for younger people. Local groups are a great way to meet other people with Parkinson's in your area, find out more about the condition and get support in a friendly and welcoming environment.
Support for family and friends
It's important for family, friends and carers to recognise that the mood of someone with Parkinson's can negatively affect their own emotions.
Because of this, you should try to look after your own physical and mental health as much as you can. This can be difficult, but it's important to remember that by taking care of yourself, you will be better able to support the person with Parkinson's.
Many carers find it helpful to join a group, where they can meet other people in a similar situation. Some Parkinson's UK local groups have special activities for carers. There’s also our online forum, which allows you to chat from home and has a dedicated section for carers, friends and family.
"We focus on learning to think more objectively, taking into account the health challenges people with Parkinson’s face."
Sandra Eriemo is a cognitive behavioural therapist. Here she shares how cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help people with Parkinson’s adapt to any struggles they’re facing.
Living with Parkinson’s can be challenging at times. Here, people with Parkinson’s share how they cope when they’re finding things difficult.
Mindfulness for Parkinson's
Practising mindfulness can help with mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression. We've developed a series of videos and an audio session to guide you through some basic mindfulness techniques.
Call companions
Living with Parkinson's, or caring for someone who does, can feel isolating. But you're not alone.
We're working with Re-engage to offer people with Parkinson's, and the people who care for them, a free telephone befriending service.