During this month’s meetup, our panelists discussed their experiences navigating non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s like apathy, pain, and cognitive impairment. For the majority of our panelists (and for many people with Parkinson’s), non-motor symptoms outnumber motor symptoms and tend to appear years before motor symptoms. The panelists also highlighted how non-motor symptoms are often much more challenging on a daily basis than motor symptoms.
Read on for a summary of the conversation and to access a recording of the meetup. If you haven’t attended our meetups live, register to receive the link to do so.
Download the audio version of this webinar.
Common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s include constipation, depression, anxiety, apathy, cognitive changes, nOH, fatigue and sleepiness, sleep disturbances, pain, speech and swallowing concerns, and more. These symptoms fall into three categories: emotional, cognitive, and autonomic. Our panelists discussed non-motor symptoms that fall within all three categories, and they shared tips and tricks for how they manage these symptoms.
Apathy
Like anxiety and depression, apathy is a mood-related symptom of Parkinson’s. It is one that can be hard to manage because, by its very nature, it involves having low interest in taking action. When dealing with apathy, you may not feel up for managing your symptoms–including apathy.
Apathy is a loss of motivation, desire, and interest. It can occur separately from anxiety or depression and may be misinterpreted as laziness or lack of initiative. Though the cause of apathy in Parkinson’s is unclear, research suggestst that it’s due to a chemical imbalance and structural changes in the brain.
Taking action to manage apathy is essential to living well with Parkinson’s. Here is some advice from our panelists about how they navigate this common symptom:
- Put things on a calendar. When you’ve already scheduled activities, it can be easier to get out the door and do them.
- Find ways to stay accountable to yourself and others. If you have made plans to meet a friend for an exercise class, you’re less likely to skip it since you won’t want to let them down. Schedule a phone call with someone on a regular basis, or join a support group with members who will help hold you accountable for showing up.
- Participate in activities even when you don’t feel a lot of excitement or passion about them. You’ll still reap the benefits of community and social interaction, and you may find that once you get there, you’re glad you went. “Bring the body, and the mind will follow,” the panelists said.
- Consider registering for an event that requires training, like a bike ride. Having something on the books that you can train for and look forward to can help keep you motivated. You might also book a vacation that you can plan for and feel excited about.
- On the days when you just can’t get to the activities you had scheduled, give yourself grace. Don’t judge yourself. As Kat said during the meetup, “Life doesn’t end just because you didn’t check off that item on your list.”
- Keep a list of places where you feel soothed or comforted–a park, a bath, a nook in a library–and try to visit that place when you’re feeling especially apathetic.
- Don’t stay stuck in the mindset of “I don’t care, I don’t care, I don’t care.” Try to break that cycle. Step outside. Splash cold water on your face, or take a cold shower. Change your environment somehow. Although it sounds simple, sometimes a subtle shift can be enough to break the cycle.
- Seek out counseling or therapy if that feels right for you.
If you or your care partner notice that you’re experiencing apathy, talk with your physicians, and ask for a referral to a mental health provider if necessary. Your physicians may be able to adjust your medication regimen in ways that can help manage apathy, and therapy may also prove to be a powerful treatment.
Cognitive Challenges
Other non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s our panelists discussed relate to cognition and cognitive decline. Several mentioned moments when they have an inability to “find words,” and others highlighted speech issues tied to executive function, such as keeping up with the cadence and pace during a very active discussion.
Many people with Parkinson’s experience cognitive changes. Often these involve slowed ability to think about and process information. One positive note is that the progression of cognitive challenges tend to ebb and flow, and they can be managed proactively. Our panelists shared advice about how to do this:
- Talk with your clinicians about your concerns.
- Develop a “toolbox” you can rely on in those moments when you can’t find the words you want to say. For example, Larry said, “If I’m in a meeting and need more time to answer a question, I rephrase that question or ask for it to be repeated.” Larry went on to say that this “gives my brain time to catch up, so I can find the words or answer I’m looking for.”
- Learn to speak last. Take time to listen and formulate your response during a conversation.
- You can get nervous or anxious when you feel like you’re “underperforming” in a conversation. To minimize these feelings, try to slow down. Take deep breaths, or ask the other person to give you a minute to respond.
- Explore speech therapy, which can help with word-finding.
- Self-awareness is key. Recognize that your brain is just working differently than it used to. Realize that you will lose your train of thought sometimes, and try not to panic about it.
- Telling others that you’re living with Parkinson’s and are working through cognitive issues can make you feel more comfortable in conversations. It can alleviate some of the stress you may feel.
- Mindfulness and self-compassion make all the difference.
- Give yourself permission to rest.
Other Symptoms and Some Positives of Parkinson’s
The panelists also touched on several other common non-motor symptoms, including pain, anxiety, blood pressure issues, excessive sweating, restless legs syndrome, and more. In light of all these symptoms, however, they offered listeners positive vibes and silver-lining thoughts about their experiences with Parkinson’s, including that:
- “I look for ways to make the world better.”
- “A silver lining of apathy is that I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore.”
- “I’m a nicer person now than I was before I had Parkinson’s. My EQ has surpassed my IQ. I see the world with more sensitivity and love of others.”
- “After a Parkinson’s diagnosis, you recognize what matters to you.”
- “I like the person I’ve become with Parkinson’s. I’ve found my purpose and my true value.”
NEXT MEETUP
We hope you’ll join us for our next meetup on July 18, 2024!
The panelists always welcome your questions. Please send them using this form or by emailing [email protected].
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
WANT MORE PRACTICAL ARTICLES LIKE THIS?
You can learn much more about living well with Parkinson’s today through our Every Victory Counts® suite of resources. Each manual is packed with up-to-date information about everything Parkinson’s. Click the link below to reserve your manual(s).
Thank you to our 2024 Gold Partner, AbbVie, and our Silver Partner, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, for their ongoing support of these must-have manuals. Additionally, we’d like to thank Barbara and Dale Ankenman, Abby and Ken Dawkins, Bonnie Gibbons, Irwin Narter, Lorraine and J Wilson, and Gail Gitin in loving memory of Gene Gitin for their generous donations that allow us to make these resources available and accessible to all.