The following are Parkinson resources that you can utilize.
Mark Groves, MD, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and neurology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York, says, "Parkinson's is a brain disease. And the brain is also the organ that affects emotion. So depression, anxiety, and concentration changes — these can be core parts of the illness. …There also are psychological challenges in adapting to a disease like PD, such as the dilemma of disclosure to friends or the workplace, self-consciousness about symptoms, and the awareness that life is finite. Parkinson's also can bring catastrophic thinking. We can help people chip away at these views, put things into perspective and live their best lives with new challenges."
According to the Parkinson's Foundation, there are several ways you can help:
As you connect with your patients this month, if you notice someone who may be struggling, we can help. Referring someone to our program is easy, call 620-378-6234. No previous mental health diagnosis is needed.
According to the Parkinson's Foundation, there are several ways you can help:
- Encourage regular exercise: Things like Yoga and Tai Chi help calm the mind while improving some symptoms of PD.
- Help create healthy eating habits: What a patient eats, when they eat, and their attention to diet restrictions can not only impact how they feel physically but mentally as well.
- Highlight hope: Showcasing the challenges a patient has conquered is a great way to boost confidence and help them embrace hope for the future. You could also help them see the positives by helping them focus on what they can do rather than what they can't.
- Refer for additional support: Up to 50% of PD patients struggle with depression and/or anxiety which can decrease function and quality of life. Support groups and programs like ours help PD patients navigate their feelings, helping to reduce stress, improve quality of life, and build a network of support.
As you connect with your patients this month, if you notice someone who may be struggling, we can help. Referring someone to our program is easy, call 620-378-6234. No previous mental health diagnosis is needed.
