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A team of researchers, including four individuals with lived experience and two scientists, posted a call on social media for experiences with "silver linings" in people with Parkinson's. They were interested in both positive and negative experiences. The researchers received 138 responses, of which 113 (82%) were positive, indicating that these individuals had indeed experienced "silver linings." However, 25 (18%) did not have such experiences. The majority of responses (85%) came from patients, 7% from neurologists, and 6% from caregivers.
So, what were these positive experiences? Most participants mentioned two or more positive changes, such as living more consciously, finding a new focus in life, better coping with the disease, engaging in new activities, adopting a healthier lifestyle, and improving relationships with family and friends. The majority of responses were positive, which was inspiring.
However, not all participants experienced a positive aspect. 19 of them felt that their lives had worsened after the diagnosis. Some were angry, feeling that they had not asked for the disease. Factors such as depression, disease stage, or the presence of other illnesses may have played a role, but this study does not provide clear insights into these aspects.
Furthermore, the group of participants in the study was not representative of the entire population of Parkinson's patients. The participants may have had better healthcare, improved living conditions, and/or greater access to social media. This needs further investigation. Nonetheless, this study provides perhaps a basis for further discussion. The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease turns your life upside down, but I personally see that it is not always in a negative sense.
NPJ Parkinsons Dis, 2022 Mar 3;8(1):21. doi: 10.1038/s41531-022-00283-1. The silver linings of Parkinson's disease, Araceli Alonso-Canovas, Jos Voeten, Omotola Thomas, Larry Gifford, Jon A Stamford, Bastiaan R Bloem