{"id":39558,"date":"2023-01-24T13:59:50","date_gmt":"2023-01-24T18:59:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.parkinson.ca\/?p=39558"},"modified":"2023-01-24T13:59:50","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T18:59:50","slug":"understanding-depression-apathy-and-anxiety-in-parkinsons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archiveparkinson.thedev.ca\/fr\/understanding-depression-apathy-and-anxiety-in-parkinsons\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding depression, apathy and anxiety in Parkinson\u2019s"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cMost people don\u2019t realize that Parkinson\u2019s has mental health symptoms. And it’s those symptoms that are harder to deal with than the ones you can see some days.\u201d – Ben Smith, Calgary Volunteer Event Coordinator.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unbeknownst to many, Parkinson\u2019s often comes with an onslaught of mental health symptoms. Like Ben, many Canadians living with Parkinson\u2019s <\/span>report these symptoms being more challenging to manage than the more well-known symptoms.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coming into Parkinson\u2019s and discovering that depression, apathy and anxiety <\/span>are par for the course<\/span><\/a> can add stress and confusion at a time when so many other changes are also taking place, and often exasperates other symptoms. Conversations about mental health, while coming into mainstream media more commonly, still carry a stigma and make it difficult for people to feel comfortable openly exploring how to live with mental health challenges.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing how to navigate depression, apathy and anxiety, understanding how common they are and recognizing that you\u2019re not alone in your mental health experiences in Parkinson\u2019s are keys to seeing that life with Parkinson\u2019s is still possible.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you or a loved one are experiencing this array of non-motor symptoms, Parkinson Canada has multiple resources and recommendations for learning about and managing depression, apathy and anxiety.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1) Get a copy of the Canadian Edition of Every Victory Counts\u00ae<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0Chapter four of this invaluable resource is dedicated to the discussion of depression, apathy and anxiety. You\u2019ll find about another 75 mentions of the role of mental health and its impact on those living with Parkinson\u2019s throughout the entirety of the book, as well.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tip: If you download the digital version of the book, you can \u201csearch\u201d the book in your e-reader (such as Adobe) for terms like \u201cdepression,\u201d \u201cmental health,\u201d \u201canxiety\u201d and others to help you pinpoint the information relevant to your interest in mental health.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Download the Canadian Edition of Every Victory Counts\u00ae<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2) Seek out resources about mental health and Parkinson\u2019s through trusted sources, like Parkinson Canada\u2019s webinars and downloadable resources. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Here is a webinar recording of a presentation captured in late 2018. The information within describes the mental health challenges of Parkinson\u2019s and what can be done to aid them in an easy-to-understand manner. While we\u2019ve embedded it here to begin at the two-minute mark, you may wish to watch the full-hour presentation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Anxiety & Depression in Parkinson’s Disease featuring Theodore Wein MD, FRCPC, FAHA<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n