Are Depression and Anger Linked to Parkinson’s?

[SWblue]

My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 8 mos ago. He has always had some issues with patience and anger, but learned to managed it, mostly. Over the last year, it has gotten much worse and continues to escalate. I don’t know if it’s due to having to deal with the problems of PD, or if it is caused by PD. Do I try to get him to see a counselor, or just hope that his synamet and Parkinson’s-specific exercise classes will help? Or is there some other treatment I should ask his doctor about?

[wifeofparky]

Yes. The escalation may be due to his Parkinson's. Please contact his Movement Disorder Specialist or Neuro and inform them. My husband had similar issues and he was put on an antidepressant which helped a lot. He didn't think it helped but those of us around him noticed the change and improvement. Good luck to you.

Have you found a Caregiver Support Group? Your health is important too. If there is no local PD Chapter, go to Parkinson.org. They can help you locate one.

[SWblue in reply to wifeofparky]

Thanks for the info. I do attend his PD doctor appointments with him, and I brought it up last time. At that point, he had not yet started sinamet so I was hoping that would help. Nope, it’s gotten worse. I’ll bring it up again at the next appointment.

I have not joined a support group; I have so much going on in my life with work, kids, house, elder mother, and my own exercise. And now doing PD research and taking time off work to attend his doctor appointments. But I’ll look into it. Thanks.

[wifeofparky in reply to SWblue]

Please, Please, Please take care of YOU! If you get sick, who will take care of all the people you are caring for. I know it sounds like a lot but taking time out for yourself is crucial. You have a long road ahead of you. Listen to cjsg. Try little things at the beginning that help you and do not think you are being selfish. You are a very important part of this team and you need to remain healthy. I was still working when my husband was still alive. I went to Support Meetings once a month, even if he didn't want to go with me. I learned so much from other people. I also care for my 92 year old father and I have learned how to cope and when to ask for help. If you are in the US, look up Powerful Tools for Caregivers. It saved my life. It was a six week program but I learned so mush about local resources, self care and how to get others to help.

Good luck.

The Parkinson.org site also has wonderful resources on different aspects of PD. Check them out. They are FREE

[cjsg]

I have anger problems, and I was told that anger is a form of depression. I went on an antidepressant and it has helped a lot. I don't have PD, my husband does. Don't forget to take care of yourself. Everyone says that but they don't tell you how to do that when you are in the thick of it( holing a urinal, or getting them in and out of the shower, or getting him dressed). I set my watch (Fitbit) to remind me to take a breather every other hour for 2 minutes. It helps. I stop what I am doing and take deep breaths and also use the time to relax. My husband may act like a 2 year old when I stop dressing him to take MY TIME OUT, but 2 minutes isn't that long, but it does help me because it is JUST FOR ME. It helps my husband in the long run.

[park_bear]

Parkinson's does not intrinsically cause anger, but a person with Parkinson's could become angry because of the Parkinson's, for any number of reasons.

Anger is a self protective device, and it is important to understand the emotions behind the anger. This webpage does an excellent job of explaining:

gottman.com/blog/the-anger-...

Frequent anger is not healthy for oneself nor one's loved ones. The angry person needs to do the work of understanding what emotions lie underneath the anger. Attending to this problem from the standpoint of psychology is far better than trying to medicate it away. If counseling or self educated psychology does not work, then consider medication.