Parkinson’s Non-Motor Symptoms
While the effects of Parkinson’s on movement are often the most visible, non-motor symptoms can have an even more significant effect on quality of life. Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s may outnumber motor symptoms and can appear years before motor symptoms. Non-motor symptoms include those that fall into three categories: emotional, cognitive, and autonomic.
In this collection of resources, you can find information about the many common non-motor symptoms, including constipation, depression, anxiety, apathy, cognitive changes, nOH, fatigue and sleepiness, sleep disturbances, pain, speech and swallowing concerns, and more.
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The Parkinson’s You Don’t See
Some of the first symptoms people with Parkinson’s experience are not visible to others. In this presentation, Dr. Joanne Hamilton explains what to expect and how to distinguish symptoms caused by Parkinson’s from those caused by medications, while offering hope and practical strategies for understanding and managing non-motor challenges.
What Are the Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s?
The effects of Parkinson’s not related to movement are called non-motor symptoms. In this article, we help you identify and learn about the various non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s so you can take action to live well.
Depression, Anxiety, and Apathy and How to Manage Them
Approximately 50-60% of people living with Parkinson’s experience varying levels of depression and anxiety. It’s important to know the difference between depression, anxiety, and apathy in Parkinson’s so you can accurately explain how you’re feeling to your doctor and get the care you need. In this webinar, Dr. Gregory Pontone explains the difference between a variety of mood-related issues in Parkinson’s and how to manage them.
Speech, Voice, and Parkinson’s Q&A
When we hosted a webinar with speech-language pathologist John Dean (you can get access to the recording here), we received so many questions during the session that we weren’t able to answer them all. So, John was kind enough to do a written Q&A for us. Check out the post to see his expert answers to dozens of common questions about speech, voice, and Parkinson’s.
Sleep, Parkinson’s, and Living Well today
Parkinson’s can affect sleep in many ways, ranging from trouble falling or staying asleep at night to excessive sleepiness during the day. Good sleep boosts everything from your mood to your ability to think and process to your physical movement. Understanding sleep problems and Parkinson’s is often the first step you can take to enhance your sleep. In this conversation, Dr. Ron Postuma discusses the causes of sleep problems in Parkinson’s, the difference between sleep changes related to aging and those related to Parkinson’s, the difference between sleepiness and fatigue, the connection between sleep and medication, and types of sleep disorders (somnolence, insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder) and how to treat them.
Explore More Parkinson's Non-Motor Symptoms Resources
- Fight Back Against Depression and Anxiety in Parkinson’s
- YOPD Council: Non-Motor Symptoms
- Can You Identify Your Depression Triggers?
- How Nutrition Can Help Your Anxiety
- Depression and Anxiety: The Demon, the Witch, and the Everyday Hero
- How Exercise Can Ease Anxiety in Parkinson’s
- What to Do with Apathy…as a Parkinson’s Care Partner
- How Are Depression, Anxiety, and Apathy Treated?
- Cognition and Mood and How to Manage Them
- Anxiety, Marijuana, and Pain in Parkinson’s: 10 Expert Answers to your Hard Questions
- Emotional and Psychological Care
- YOPD Council: Mental Health and Parkinson’s
- Cognition, Depression, and Anxiety and How to Manage Them
- Emotional Wellness: Anxiety Worksheet
- Emotional Wellness: Depression Worksheet
- Punding: Is That the Same as OCD?
- Psychiatric and Cognitive Complications in Parkinson’s with Dr. Daniel Weintraub
- From Clear to Partly Cloudy: Parkinson’s and Cognition
- Cognition and How It Interacts with Other Parkinson’s Non-Motor Symptoms
- Camping and Parkinson’s: Cognition
- Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis with Dr. Christopher Goetz
- The Connection between Cognitive Function and Motor Function among Individuals with Parkinson’s
- The Difference between Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s
- YOPD Council: Dementia and Young Onset Parkinson’s
- Tai Chi for Enhancing Cognitive-Motor Interactions
- How e-Readers Can Help You Read More to Maintain and Improve Cognitive Function
- Q&A: Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis
- Cognitive Wellness Worksheet
- The Science of Parkinson’s Constipation
- How Do I Address Constipation in Parkinson’s?
- What’s Going on in My Gut? GI Issues and Parkinson’s
- Dr. Karunapuzha on How to Take Levodopa for Parkinson’s and Why
- Can a Plant-Based Diet Affect the Onset, Management, and Progression of Parkinson’s?
- Constipation Worksheet
- [A Podcast Recording] Constipation and the Gut
- Strategies for Addressing Speech and Language Challenges in Parkinson’s
- Parkinson’s Speech Therapy: Chat with Confidence
- Breathing and Swallowing in Parkinson’s
- Speech Therapy and Parkinson’s
- Why Do I Need a Speech Therapist?
- Closing the Gap for Voice Impairment in Parkinson’s
- What Is Aspiration?
- Amplify Your Voice: How to Find a Speech-Language Therapist
- Speech, Voice, and Parkinson’s
- How Do I Find a Parkinson’s Speech Therapist?
- When to Begin Speech Therapy for Parkinson’s
- Davis Phinney and Kelsey Phinney Practice Vocal Exercises for Parkinson’s
- How Do You Prevent Aspiration Pneumonia?
- Speech and Communication Worksheet
- Swallowing Worksheet
- Why Is It So Hard to Sleep Now that I Have Parkinson’s?
- Sleepiness and Fatigue in Parkinson’s and What to Do about Them
- What is REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?
- Ask the Parkinson’s Expert: Sleep Strategies with Davis Phinney
- Living Well with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
- YOPD Council: Sleep, Light, Nature, and Parkinson’s
- Fatigue in Parkinson’s and How to Treat It
- Making the Best of a Bad Night’s Sleep
- Tips for When You’re Awake in the Night
- How Blue Light Can Change How You Sleep
- Fatigue in Parkinson’s Study
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin) Use for Fatigue in Parkinson’s
- Stabilize Blood Sugar to Combat Fatigue in Parkinson’s
- 9 Easy Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep with Parkinson’s
- Ask the Parkinson’s Expert: How Sleep Changes over Time with Davis Phinney
- Sleep Disorders in Parkinson’s with Dr. Gary Leo
- Insomnia and Sleep Worksheet
- What Is Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (nOH)?
- Manage Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension
- How my Daughter Helped Me Identify my nOH Symptoms
- Exercising Safely with Parkinson’s nOH
- A Commitment to Fitness Despite Parkinson’s and Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (nOH)
- Low Blood Pressure and Dizziness Worksheet
- Sexual Dysfunction Worksheet
- Sexuality and Intimacy for People with Parkinson’s and their Care Partners
- Intimacy and Parkinson’s with Susan Imke
- YOPD Council: Sex, Love, Dating, and Parkinson’s
- YOPD Women’s Council: Intimacy, Relationships, and Parkinson’s
- Intimacy and Parkinson’s with Sheila Silver