Stress and anxiety in Parkinson's - my 2 pennies worth

[Jmwg45]

In response to a spam post about stress causing Parkinson's I started this answer which became too long winded as a response. I don't think stress causes Parkinson's as claimed (in fact I think it's a nonsense idea) but definitely stress causes problems in Parkinson's.

Alongside the fact that stress causes problems generally, it also produces an adrenal response. I am a lay person here but my guesses following some research are as follows (I'm still learning so feel free to correct/contradict or confirm) - :

The adrenal response releases adrenaline (epinephrine) and norepinephrine, flooding the body to produce the flight/fight response. But the adrenal system is a complex thing and relies on several chemical conversion to create them because both epinephrine and norepinephrine have precursors in a chain before they are formed.

The chain goes (with each item being converted into the next one along):

L-phenylalanine > L-tyrosine > L-DOPA > dopamine > epinephrine + norepinephrine.

I have no idea how fast this conversion happens (anyone?) but 3 things stand out for me :

1) When dopamine levels are low the adrenal response is only going to lower it further?

2) When dopamine levels are low, are we creating enough adrenal response for fight or flight, and if not is that why we are freezing?

3) If you're on L-tyrosine to create your L-DOPA, or directly on L-DOPA, after the stress episode started, how much of the L-DOPA is making it to the brain rather than being diverted to make dopamine for more epinephrine and norepinephrine?

I know it can take 30-40 minutes for me to calm.

All told, I think some of this must play into the anxiety many of us suffer. And it is often an early symptom (looking back I think it appeared 2-3 years before any movement symptoms appeared for me) as it is a biological rather the psychological reaction.

That said, as time goes on, I think for me psychology can take over as my freezing is almost instant and I understand the adrenal response is slower than that. It's fast, just not that fast. Also, I never get it because of work stress - in fact I often revel in the pressure of work now that I understand why I suffer the anxiety, where as before I was diagnosed it was horrid as I couldn't understand why I struggled the way I did. I'm also able to think 'it's only work', which strangely improves my work.

My freezing happens due to 'emotional stress' - only ever when there's arguments at home because of my wife's stress or frustration. Live with someone with PD for several years, have a high level job and 2 young children with everyone asking how your other half is and never asking how you are and you will get stress and frustration, along with dealing with your own emotions and upset about the circumstances (only I have PD but my wife suffers from PD).

Unfortunately stress and anxiety do often lead to depression and that's a whole other set of circumstances and one I don't understand. Of course, my understanding of stress might be wrong and that means that's 2 things I don't understand. I'll try not to find that depressing.

Sorry for being so long winded. I think once I started I just needed to vent!

[Juliegrace]

Excellent post. Far more relevant than that other one. I still read the drivel she posts but I refuse to engage. It's like knocking my head against a wall.