• After Robin Williams died last year, his wife said that the comedian and actor suffered from anxiety, depression and had learned he had Parkinson’s disease prior to his suicide.
She wrote of his family’s hope that others would find strength to seek care and support “to treat whatever battles they are facing so they may feel less afraid.”
As many as half of those with Parkinson’s disease experience depression and almost as many experience anxiety, but those problems often go unaddressed in doctors appointments, leaving patients and their families to suffer without help.
“It can be very disabling and more disabling than the movement disorders in some people,” said Dr. David Hinkle, a neurologist who leads OhioHealth’s Movement Disorders Clinic.
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Because both mood disorders are common and treatable, better recognition is of utmost value, he said.
A free symposium on April 18 in Powell will focus on the connection between Parkinson’s and depression, as well as ways to help patients and caregivers.
The local chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation will host the event, which requires advance registration by Friday. Those interested should register online at www.centralohioparkinson.org or call 614-890-1901 or 866-920-6673.
Hinkle, who will speak at the symposium, said depression can stem from the frustration and struggles associated with Parkinson’s, including mobility problems, speech difficulties and cognitive trouble.
But it also can be part and parcel of the disease, because the area of the brain affected by Parkinson’s — the basal ganglia — also modulates mood, he said.
Exercise, medications and counseling can help those with Parkinson’s cope with anxiety and depression.
“A lot of people say, ‘How can I exercise?’ ” Hinkle said. “You have to start slow and build gradually with professional help.
“There are people who are in wheelchairs who are exercising and people who are running marathons.”
In Columbus, a popular program called Delay the Disease helps many Parkinson’s patients stay active, and plans are in the works to start a boxing program at Title Boxing in Grandview, said Daniel Davis, president and CEO of the Parkinson Foundation’s Central & Southeast Ohio office.
The symposium will highlight the new program, “Rock Steady Boxing,” a technique called “touch drawing” and equine therapy as ways to cope with the disease and its effects, he said.
“For the longest time, we’ve really focused on the motor symptoms,” Davis said, adding that experts have started to look more at psychological health and opportunities to improve patients’ quality of life through acknowledging and treating depression and anxiety.
“Depression is a misunderstood component. It’s not just feeling sad,” he said, adding that depression screenings are important for Parkinson’s patients.
Caregivers often are first to notice signs of trouble and can be integral in starting conversations with doctors and nurses, Davis said.
Jerry Yarov, who is on the Foundation board and has lived with Parkinson’s for a decade, said daily exercise makes all the difference for him.
“I really have met a lot of Parkinson’s patients that just don’t do anything (physical),” said Yarov who is 65 and lives in East Columbus.
Yarov said although there are days where his mind says no, he pushes himself to make the trip to the YMCA. “Whatever it takes, I just do it, probably an hour a day.”
He encourages other Parkinson’s patients to find a way even if the idea seems daunting. “Get off the couch and start exercising — it’s very important. It helps physically and mentally.”
Both Davis and Yarov said Parkinson’s patients often find comfort and strength in interacting with others who have the illness.
“It can decrease that feeling of isolation,” Davis said.
Yarov stressed the importance of encouragement from doctors, whether they are Parkinson’s specialists or primary care physicians.
“Tell them they don’t have a death sentence. Tell them they can have a relatively normal life, but they’ve got to work on it.”
Because both mood disorders are common and treatable, better recognition is of utmost value, he said.
A free symposium on April 18 in Powell will focus on the connection between Parkinson’s and depression, as well as ways to help patients and caregivers.
The local chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation will host the event, which requires advance registration by Friday. Those interested should register online at www.centralohioparkinson.org or call 614-890-1901 or 866-920-6673.
Hinkle, who will speak at the symposium, said depression can stem from the frustration and struggles associated with Parkinson’s, including mobility problems, speech difficulties and cognitive trouble.
But it also can be part and parcel of the disease, because the area of the brain affected by Parkinson’s — the basal ganglia — also modulates mood, he said.
Exercise, medications and counseling can help those with Parkinson’s cope with anxiety and depression.
“A lot of people say, ‘How can I exercise?’ ” Hinkle said. “You have to start slow and build gradually with professional help.
“There are people who are in wheelchairs who are exercising and people who are running marathons.”
In Columbus, a popular program called Delay the Disease helps many Parkinson’s patients stay active, and plans are in the works to start a boxing program at Title Boxing in Grandview, said Daniel Davis, president and CEO of the Parkinson Foundation’s Central & Southeast Ohio office.
The symposium will highlight the new program, “Rock Steady Boxing,” a technique called “touch drawing” and equine therapy as ways to cope with the disease and its effects, he said.
“For the longest time, we’ve really focused on the motor symptoms,” Davis said, adding that experts have started to look more at psychological health and opportunities to improve patients’ quality of life through acknowledging and treating depression and anxiety.
“Depression is a misunderstood component. It’s not just feeling sad,” he said, adding that depression screenings are important for Parkinson’s patients.
Caregivers often are first to notice signs of trouble and can be integral in starting conversations with doctors and nurses, Davis said.
Jerry Yarov, who is on the Foundation board and has lived with Parkinson’s for a decade, said daily exercise makes all the difference for him.
“I really have met a lot of Parkinson’s patients that just don’t do anything (physical),” said Yarov who is 65 and lives in East Columbus.
Yarov said although there are days where his mind says no, he pushes himself to make the trip to the YMCA. “Whatever it takes, I just do it, probably an hour a day.”
He encourages other Parkinson’s patients to find a way even if the idea seems daunting. “Get off the couch and start exercising — it’s very important. It helps physically and mentally.”
Both Davis and Yarov said Parkinson’s patients often find comfort and strength in interacting with others who have the illness.
“It can decrease that feeling of isolation,” Davis said.
Yarov stressed the importance of encouragement from doctors, whether they are Parkinson’s specialists or primary care physicians.
“Tell them they don’t have a death sentence. Tell them they can have a relatively normal life, but they’ve got to work on it.”
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/04/08/Parkinsons-symposium-to-address-depression.html
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