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anxiety By Derek Campbell, PhD, Clinical Neuropsychologist Campbell Neuropsychology Services, P.C.
Derek Campbell, PhD
Anxiety is a normal and useful emotional response. This reaction is designed to internally warn of potentially threatening circumstances and motivate us to take steps to protect ourselves. Common signs of anxiety include a sense of restlessness, nervousness, sleep difficulty, increased heartbeat, excessive sweating, and trouble breathing. Mild anxiety enhances performance in challenging circumstances by sharpening mental focus. However, high levels of this reaction reduce efficiency and quality of life.
Disorders related to excessive anxiety have been reported to occur in 30-40% of individuals suffering from Parkinson’s disease at some point over the course of the illness. These emotional struggles occur more often in patients with Parkinson’s compared to those suffering from other chronic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. This difference is theorized to reflect the psychosocial effects of Parkinson’s disease in combination with the impact of damaged brain pathways. In reference to social aspects, physical changes such as tremor and gait instability associated with Parkinson’s disease can lead to embarrassment and a lack of self-confidence. From a biological perspective, research suggests that anxiety is also a result of deterioration in brain regions that produce or use neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which modulate emotional responses. In particular support of a direct biological effect of the disease, a subset of individuals with Parkinson’s report suffering from prominent anxiety preceding the onset of movement difficulties. There is evidence that suggests a link between random major fluctuations in movement symptoms and anxiety disorders, which raises suspicion that the unpredictability of movement difficulties also contributes to generalized uneasiness. Difficulties related to anxiety often respond to treatment and numerous approaches are available. These include counseling, medication, and relaxation techniques. A combination of these interventions often is the most beneficial. If anxiety or other mood difficulties are suspected, discuss symptoms with your primary care physician or neurologist to arrange for a comprehensive evaluation that will guide appropriate treatment.
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