Understanding Parkinson’s disease

Denial is often a major barrier when the person is first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, they will often refuse to admit they have the disease and refuse to even tell friends and family particularly if the disease is diagnosed in a younger person. The thought of going from a well individual to someone with a progressive chronic illness such as Parkinson’s is often unthinkable and unbearable for them.

Why does Parkinson’s disease happen?

During this early stage it is the psychological issues associated with the disease rather than the motor skills problems which will develop later, which have to be addressed first. Probably the biggest issue which the person will have to come to terms with is the reality that they won’t get better but only worse as the disease progresses. They will have to come to terms with and adjust to the fact that the treatment they receive will not make them better but rather help them to maintain functionality in life. (more…)