The benefits of counselling for people with Parkinson's disease and their carepartners
Today, we're going to talk about something important: mental health counselling for people with Parkinson's disease (PwP) and their carepartners. You might already know that Parkinson's disease (PD) is a condition that affects the brain and makes it harder for people to move. But did you know that it can also impact mental health? And that's why counselling is so important. Let's dive into why this is crucial for both PwP and their carepartners.
Understanding Parkinson's Disease
First, let's get a quick understanding of Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's is a progressive neurological disorder that leads to motor (physical) symptoms including tremor, stiffness, slow movement and difficulty with balance and coordination. However, many people are unaware that Parkinson’s also comes with several non-motor symptoms including sleep difficulties, fatigue, pain, speech and swallowing difficulties, digestive issues like constipation, sensory issues like loss of smell, skin changes (excessive sweating or dry flaky skin), cognitive changes, and mental health difficulties. The primary mental health issues that PwP experience are depression, anxiety and/or apathy and 50% of PwP experience these symptoms.
What Are Depression and Anxiety and Apathy?
Depression is a feeling of deep sadness that doesn't come and go but rather sticks with the individual consistency for a while. It can make people feel hopeless and lose interest in things they used to enjoy. People with depression may have little to no desire to participate in things, which can lead to isolation and deepen the depression.
It can be difficult to distinguish between symptoms of depression and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease itself as they overlap. Things like excessive fatigue, appetite and weight changes, and lack of concentration are all symptoms of PD but are also symptoms of depression. Since they are intertwined with PD symptoms, depression is often overlooked in PD and can be left untreated.
Anxiety is a feeling of intense worry or fear, even when there isn't a clear reason to be afraid. Everyone has experienced anxiety to some degree but if it impacts your quality of life and is persistent in different areas of your life it could be worth investigation more.
Apathy is a state where someone feels a lack of motivation or interest in most things. It is often seen in people who suffer from depression but can also exist on its own without depression. Apathy can lead to feeling emotionally numb or flat
How Do These Feelings Affect People with Parkinson's?
While the motor symptoms of Parkinson's are very challenging, many people describe the various non-motor symptoms as more challenging. These symptoms often can go missed as they are primarily “invisible symptoms” and can significantly lower the individuals quality of life if left untreated.
Dealing with a condition like PD is challenging enough so when you add in depression, apathy and anxiety it can be even harder to cope. That’s why counselling is a crucial part of the journey.
Depression, anxiety and apathy have a great impact on a person's well-being. These feelings can make it very difficult to manage the symptoms of PD and engage in the things that can help slow down the progression of PD, like exercise. That's why it's so important for people with Parkinson's and their carepartners (the people who help take care of them) to get support.
Why Is Counselling Helpful?
Counselling is a way to talk about your feelings with a trained professional who can help provide more understanding what you are going through and ways to cope with it. Here are some reasons why counselling can be beneficial:
Expressing Feelings: Talking about your emotions is difficult and especially when faced with an illness that can increase your sense of vulnerability and fragility. Counselling can help you understand your emotions more and feel less overwhelmed to express them. When we have a better understanding of our feelings we can better cope with them.
Learning Coping Strategies: Counsellors can teach you ways to manage anxiety, apathy and depression. This can make it easier to handle the challenges of PD and promotes a better quality of life.
Improving Communication: Counselling can help people with Parkinson's and their carepartners communicate more effectively. This can strengthen their understanding of one another and reduce feelings of resentment making it easier to work together as a team.
Finding Support: Knowing that someone understands what you're going through can be very comforting. Counsellors can provide that understanding and support making you feel less alone and isolated.
Carepartners Need Support Too
It's not just the PwP who needs support – their carepartners do too! Being a carepartner can be extremely difficult, both physically and emotionally. Carepartners might feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities or worry about the future. They can also experience major shifts in things like sleep and their identity, which can leave them feeling lost and alone.
Counselling can help carepartners take care of their own mental health, which is important for them to be able to support their loved one effectively. Since finding the time can be especially challenging for care partners virtual/online counselling might be the most accessible option for professional support.
Here’s why counselling is also important for carepartners:
Avoiding Burnout: Taking care of someone with a long-term illness can be exhausting. Counselling helps carepartners understand their needs and prioritize them so they can take care of their own mental health and avoid burnout.
Improving communication: Counselling can provide carepartners with better communication strategies that can reduce their feelings of resentment and foster stronger bonds with their loved ones. It can provide the space to express their feelings and work on being reactive when triggered.
Managing Stress: Carepartners often juggle a lot of responsibilities which can lower their capacity to tolerate things and increase their stress levels. Counselling can help them manage stress and find more balance in their lives.
Building Resilience: Just like PwP, carepartners need to stay strong. Counselling can help them build resilience and find ways to stay present and cope with the changes that arise.
Final Thoughts
Parkinson's disease affects both the body and the mind. While the physical symptoms are more visible, depression, apathy and anxiety can be just as challenging, if not more. Counselling provides valuable support for both PwP and their carepartners. It helps them manage their emotions, understand their needs, improve their coping skills, and strengthen their communication. If you or someone you know is dealing with Parkinson's, consider reaching out for counselling support. It's a step towards better mental health and well-being and can improve your quality of life significantly.
