“All I can say about my wife, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s when she was 50, is that in many ways the news inspired her to try things that she (probably) wouldn’t otherwise have done. [My wife] already had a background in painting, so she decided to try to work using glass. She has sold a number of her creations and met a whole new group of people. She has rediscovered her love of painting as well and has produced a number of canvases.”
—RICHARD D., PARKINSON’S CAREGIVER
Although everyone is different, Parkinson’s can and probably will affect your personality, which will then affect your behavior.
In my mom’s case, although she was a pretty positive person to begin with, she wasn’t always able to be that way as her disease progressed (though I must admit she did a pretty good job most of the time).
Another change in my mom was a reduced level of confidence. This happened gradually as she lost her ability to do some of the things she was once able to do. Researchers have found that the number one challenge to living well with their disease reported by people with Parkinson’s is stigma.37 Many describe feelings of shame, embarrassment, and awkwardness, to name a few.
Self-esteem can also be greatly affected by PD, especially if this was lacking before diagnosis. If you are at all self-conscious, you may have a hard time being in public as you experience the symptoms of the disease, particularly excessive shaking or moving of arms or legs.
Many people with Parkinson’s also complain of problems such as absentmindedness, slowness of thinking, and difficulty with mentally challenging tasks. However, not everyone with PD notices changes in cognitive abilities.
As the disease developed, Mom started noticing that from time to time she would use a word in a sentence that had absolutely nothing to do with what she was talking about. She wasn’t sure why that happened but figured it must have something to do with the disease.
Some people with PD develop an impulse control disorder, which can range from sex addiction to substance abuse to gambling. This has been found to be a side effect of certain dopamine agonist medications. Talk to your doctor if this is a problem for you or your loved one.38
Many of my readers with Parkinson’s report that being diagnosed with the disease was a wake-up call. They say it has caused them to slow down and pay attention to the important things in life. Others have said they’ve done things post-diagnosis they would never have done otherwise. Are there new activities you’d like to try? New places you’d like to go? How will you define Parkinson’s?