Every year, over 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD). It’s a prevalent brain disorder that affects a person’s functionality and mobility. Simple daily tasks—such as walking, sitting, and balancing—can become incredibly challenging for someone with Parkinson’s disease.
Additionally, almost 40 million adults in the US live with some anxiety disorder and countless others experience stress on a daily basis. With such a significant percentage of the population experiencing these conditions, it’s natural to wonder whether there’s any correlation between them.
In this blog, we’re exploring the relationship between stress, anxiety, and Parkinson’s disease:
What causes Parkinson’s disease?
This progressive nervous system disorder impacts how your body controls movements. While it may begin with a few symptoms, the condition tends to worsen with time and becomes virtually unmanageable in some cases.
Parkinson’s is the result of the breakdown of nerve cells in your brain. The reason for this occurring, however, is still unknown. Some of the factors that may contribute to the onset of Parkinson’s disease are:
- Genetics—certain mutations may make you prone to Parkinson’s disease, but these are largely uncommon.
- Environmental factors—when you’re exposed to certain environmental conditions, there are chances of the development of Parkinson’s.
Where does mental health come in?
Research suggests that about 40% of patients with Parkinson’s disease also live with clinically significant levels of anxiety.
Interestingly, Parkinson’s disease is closely linked to mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, and stress. This is how it may come about:
A biological by-product
Parkinson’s is characterized by changes in the brain’s pathways and the chemical imbalances within it. GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) is one such inhibitory neurotransmitter that’s found in abnormal levels in patients of Parkinson’s disease. Low levels of GABA are associated with insomnia, sleep and mood disorders, and anxiety.
This is an uncontrollable outcome of living with Parkinson’s disease and may affect a significant number of people living with the condition.
Triggered by PD
Parkinson’s is a complex disease that brings about varying degrees of disability and severity. In many cases, the condition worsens with time. The experience and anticipation of these symptoms can be frustrating for people living with PD. Postural instability, tremor, immobility, and rigidity can make it difficult to carry out daily tasks, reducing the quality of life.
As the disease progresses, the way it psychologically impacts people may worsen too. With more severe complications, depression, anxiety, and stress are common and unavoidable. The debilitating condition is unpredictable and can affect the emotional, cognitive, biological, and behavioral wellbeing of those affected.
The other way round
While it’s clear why living with Parkinson’s disease may cause anxiety, depression, and stress, it’s possible that these mental health concerns can worsen your symptoms. The chemical imbalances and a lack of dopamine in the brain that result from PD also impact the anxiety you’re experiencing.
During off periods when PD symptoms are worse, stress and anxiety may exacerbate the problem. The lack of sleep, elevated heart rate, and excessive worry associated with anxiety and stress contribute to worsening the tremor and stiffness PD patients experience.
Visit a Parkinson’s disease Specialist’s Clinic in LA
A specialist in Parkinson’s disease in Los Angeles or Huntington Beach can help you manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and work to improve your quality of life.
Dr. Farzin Pedouim is a board-certified neurologist and movement disorders specialist who offers specialized treatments for a range of neurological conditions and movement disorders, including Parkinson’s, vertigo, myoclonus, and migraines. He can help you alleviate and manage many of the painful, debilitating, and frustrating PD symptoms you may be experiencing.
Call us at (949) 239-4410 for booking and details.
