Apathy and impulse control disorders are often thought to be two different ends of a spectrum. While one requires you to do anything to achieve a singular goal, the other completely drains you of any energy or will to do or accomplish anything.

However, this doesn’t mean that the two are mutually exclusive. In fact, in people suffering from Parkinson’s disease, both of these may co-exist.

Today, we’ll take a look at the two mental disorders and how they might affect a person suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

What is Apathy?

Apathy as a general term means to simply exist in an emotionless state where not much is felt or expressed by a person. While everyone might feel apathetic sometimes about certain things, clinical apathy means that a person generally exists in a void state where they do not feel any enthusiasm and are unable to develop an interest in anything. Like other mental illnesses, apathy can get in the way of people’s lives. Anyone suffering from it may cut off ties with friends and family, stop going out or doing enjoyable things, and even skip out on necessary exercises and stop taking any medication that they are supposed to.

What is Impulse Control Disorder?

Impulse control disorder is another mental illness that can cause people to engage in reckless and dangerous behavior that can be harmful to both them and others around them.

As the term suggests, acting out on random and harmful impulses becomes the default, and holding back can be very difficult for anyone suffering from this disorder. The extreme of these behaviors can ostracize a person from their circles, affect abilities to work or function properly.

The impulses provide a feeling of elation or joy when acted upon. Some of the more common examples for these are gambling and hypersexuality.

Effects on People with Parkinson’s

Apathy is said to affect around 40% of people who suffer from Parkinson’s, while impulse control disorder can affect between 20% to 40%. These percentages are not mutually exclusive. While both of these illnesses bring out opposite emotions in a person, it is entirely for someone with Parkinson’s to go through both simultaneously.

If you suffer from Parkinson’s disease and are battling feelings of apathy or impulse control, consider getting in touch with our Parkinson’s disease specialist clinic, Movement Help. Our team has years of experience dealing with Parkinson’s disease in Los Angeles and with a variety of different methods.