What Symptoms Might Indicate Your Senior is Suffering Anxiety with Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease affects approximately one million people throughout the United States, and each year another 60,000 will be diagnosed with this Progressive disease. As a family caregiver, it is important to understand that every person’s experience with Parkinson’s disease is personal, meaning that while your parent will progress through a set of stages fairly universal to all who live with Parkinson’s disease, the exact set of symptoms and challenges they experience, as well as the rate and severity of progression will be unique to them.

 

Home Care Services in Alexandria VA: Anxiety And Parkinson's Disease

Home Care Services in Alexandria VA: Anxiety And Parkinson’s Disease

Understanding the types of challenges and issues they may face, and being able to identify the various symptoms and issues that may be related to the disease, helps you it to give your parents the care they deserve now, and also prepare for further challenges in the future.

One symptom that many who suffer from Parkinson’s disease will experience is anxiety. Anxiety impacts approximately 40% of those living with Parkinson’s disease and is not just an emotional reaction to the reality of the progressive disease. Instead, it is a function of the actual changes in the brain that occur as a result of Parkinson’s disease. Understanding of these symptoms of anxiety can allow you to detect when your senior may be experiencing anxiety as a result of their Parkinson’s disease so you can take steps to ease it.

Some symptoms that might indicate your senior is suffering anxiety with Parkinson’s disease include:

  • Uncontrolled thoughts
  • Feeling excessively worried or fearful
  • Nausea
  • Nightmares
  • Unwanted thoughts
  • Engaging in ritualistic behaviors and feeling worry or fear about what might happen if you do not follow these rituals properly, or on the right schedule
  • Waves of terror that occur suddenly and not in response to immediate events
  • Sleeping problems
  • Pounding of the heart
  • Dizziness
  • Sweaty hands
  • Reluctance to socialize

 

Anxiety can be a very difficult symptom not just for your aging parent, but also for you as their family caregiver. When you see your senior suffering from anxiety, it can impact all elements of their life, and make fulfilling their care needs more difficult. This can mean you will need more time to fulfill these needs, more energy and effort to ensure they have what they need, and you may also experience your own anxiety.

Starting senior care can help your parent deal with their anxiety, and also ensure that they continue to have the highest-quality, effective, and respectful care and assistance they need to manage their daily personal needs. This is valuable for your aging parent, but it can also be tremendously helpful in easing your stress and helping you feel more confident about your care efforts.

Are you or a loved-one considering Home Care Services in Alexandria, VA?  Please call the caring staff at Medical Professionals On Call today. Contact: 703-273-8818

Source:
Parkinson.org/Statistics
Parkinson.org/Anxiety

 

Michelle DeFilippis