Depression is a state of feeling constant sadness and a general lack of interest, it afflicts over 50% of the people affected by Parkinson’s Disorder (PD). As is typical of PD, depression too varies for different people, ranging from mood changes like anxiety, constant sadness and experiencing a great sense of worry.
Cause for Depression
Depression results from insufficient or lack of certain neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) which in turn could be due to psychological, biological and environmental factors. In the case of PD, lack or significant reduction of the chemical dopamine, typically considered a happy chemical, causes a person’s mood to change and they experience a persistent feeling of sadness.
Symptoms
Symptoms of depression will differ from person to person and can range in severity from mild to severe. Some common symptoms are listed below. Persons in the state of depression can experience a combination of these symptoms in varying degrees.
- Crying
- Sadness
- Lack of energy
- Loss of motivation
- Feeling restless
- Changes in daily habits
- Self criticism
- Loss of interest in activities
- Sleep difficulties
- Poor concentration
- Being restless
- Thoughts of suicide
Managing Depression
Lifestyle changes to treat depression
- Exercise : Regular exercise / half an hour walk makes a big difference.
- Social Support : Be in regular contact with friends and family, or joining an online class or group. Social networks are one of the important ways to keep us connected.
- Nutrition : A balanced diet is very important to be energetic both physically and mentally and to develop good immunity.
- Sleep : Proper sleep at the right time keeps one fresh and ready for the day’s activities.
- Stress reduction : Read more books, do some house work, and spend time with your family / grand kids.
- Meditation / Yoga : This is one of the best techniques to deal with depression. Use a guided meditation recording or go for a group meditation class.
