Parkinson’s disease is a chronic disorder affecting the way the brain co-ordinates the movements of the muscles in the body. Symptoms are both motor and non-motor. Non-motor symptoms include: depression, apathy and impulse control disorder. Online psychological support offers Parkinson’s disease patients a chance to deal with their emotional pain in the warmth and confidentiality of their home.
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic disorder affecting the way the brain co-ordinates the movements of the muscles in the body. Parkinson’s disease involves both motor and non-motor symptoms. Motor symptoms are stiffness, tremor, and slowness of movement. Treatment often provides good relief of symptoms for several years. Non-motor symptoms include: olfaction loss, bladder dysfunction, sleep behaviour disorder.
Among Parkinson’s disease psychological symptoms are: depression, apathy, impulse control disorder. Parkinson’s disease mainly develops in people over the age of 50, but the number of diagnoses in younger people is increasing.
Parkinson’s disease follows a reduction of dopamine production in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (a chemical) conveying motor information down the nerves and the spinal cord to control the muscles of the body.
At the moment being, there is no cure for PD, however, medications can ease symptoms.
One third of people with Parkinson’s disease can experience anxiety and depression. Parkinson’s disease affects areas of the brain that control mood. Depression and apathy are the main psychological symptoms involved in Parkinson’s disese.
Depression symptoms can be: low mood, fatigue, loss of energy, weight loss (or gain), drowsiness or insomnia.
Apathy is a lack of inhitiative and involves a loss of interest. Apathy is not lazyness nor weariness, but it occurs when somebody does not take the inhitiative to start (purposeful) behaviours.
When a patient who is affected by Parkinson’s disease shows psychological symptoms such as the above mentioned, it is useful to speak with a psychologist.
Online psychological support is professional mental health intervention provided via email or videoconference.
Online therapy is suitable for patients in case of:
• No availability of services within a geographical area
• Need for anonymity
• Need or desire for specialized services
• Lack of transportation
• Disability
• Time management problems
• Low budget
Necessary skills are: typing skills, basic computer skills, internet access.
What are the benefits of an online therapy for a Parkinson’s disease patient?
When a patient first receives a diagnosis he feels himself, his life and his future threatened. The individual makes comparisons between his current situation and his previous idea of the illness. Then the patient begin struggling to develop a new representation of that illness. Patients often experience feelings of: shame, guilt, loneliness, fear, and anger in their everyday life. All these feelings interfere with patients relationships: family and their beloved ones.
Online psychological support offers Parkinson’s disease patients a chance to deal with their emotional pain in the warmth and confidentiality of their home. Being listenened will help patients understand and cope with their emotional distress.
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About the author: Viola Nicolucci graduated in psychology from the University of Turin, Italy. With an expertise in health psychology, Viola works as psychologist in a private practice and is a member of the staff at Therapion.com
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