Mental Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a disorder in the brain caused by a lack of dopamine that occurs over a long period of time. The symptoms of Parkinson's disease include both physical changes and mental changes that can increase in severity as the disease progresses. Mental symptoms of Parkinson's disease include communication problems, lack of emotion and mental health disorders.

Depression

• According to the Mayo Clinic, in people with Parkinson's disease, depression is often the first symptom experienced.

Memory loss

• People with Parkinson's disease may develop memory loss that progressively gets worse as the disease advances.

Confusion

• Parkinson's disease may cause people to confuse past and present events and misidentify friends or family.

Staring

• Staring or fixation of the eyes on objects rather than people is an unconscious act of people with Parkinson's disease.

Speech problems

• Speech problems, such as difficulty choosing appropriate words, is a mental symptom of Parkinson's disease.

Lack of emotion

• People with Parkinson's disease may appear to lack emotion or interest during conversations, which is a mental symptom of the disease.

Loss of libido

• Parkinson's disease may cause a loss of desire for sexual activity, which may result from mental symptoms or physical changes in the brain.