Psychologists and Parkinson's Disease

According to Kristine Hanna, Ph.D., establishing a relationship with a psychologist, after receiving a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, can have a profound effect on a patient's treatment and quality of life. Hanna subscribes to the “mind over body” school of psychotherapy: treat the head in conjunction with the body. A degenerative neurological disorder, Parkinson's can be effectively managed without the associated trauma of depression and anxiety.

History

• Research into the emotional difficulties experienced by Parkinson’s patients is a relatively new niche in psychology, but the number of clinicians working on therapies to treat this degenerative brain disease is growing. Of particular interest to these specialists is the signature lack of dopamine in the brain of Parkinson’s patients as dopamine affects both mood and movement, producing a “double whammy” of debilitation. Given the importance of this association, a specialty practice has emerged: psychologists focusing their therapy on Parkinson’s patients.

Depression

• The National Institute of Mental Health defines depression as “a serious medical condition that affects thoughts, feelings and the ability to function in everyday life.” Nearly 19 million people age 18 and older suffer from some form of depression, most often caused by low levels of dopamine in the brain. Add Parkinson’s disease to the equation and it’s easy to see how an already dopamine-depleted patient, with the fear, anxiety and panic experienced upon diagnosis, may be best treated by a psychologist.

Diagnosis

• At the onset of Parkinson’s disease, patients receive a grim prognosis: chronic, progressive brain deterioration due to cell loss that triggers symptoms, ranging from tremors to stiffness, plus balance and coordination problems. Pharmaceutical remedies continue to make their way down the Federal Drug Administration's pipeline, but for “early onset” patients, depression is a concern. Too often, a patient’s psychological well-being takes a back seat to treating physical trauma; thus psychologists are increasingly becoming major players in the Parkinson’s rehabilitation process.

Progress

• Physicians call for psychological intervention more and more as they recognize the benefits of mind/body treatment. Among the biggest improvements physicians see in their Parkinson’s patients, once a psychologist has intervened, are improved motivation, better treatment compliance, enhanced cognition and a better quality of life. Research proves that physical symptoms are significantly helped by psychotherapy as seen in studies comparing patients who receive psychological help with those who don't.

Future

• Treating the whole Parkinson’s patient is becoming the norm as physicians witness the metamorphosis experienced by patients who see both a psychologist and a Parkinson’s specialist. Added benefits of this symbiotic relationship come about when the patient opens herself to new ideas and therapies, such as exercise and dietary modifications. Confidence grows as a result of dual therapies. Reversing the cycle of Parkinson’s-triggered depression has become a major goal of practitioner-teams, working together to help patients live their lives to the fullest.