Parkinson’s associated with psychiatric issues

Experts say treatment can reduce symptoms, improve quality of life

LAHORE: Parkinson’s disease is associated with many psychiatric problems such as anxiety, disturbed patterns of sleep, psychosis and depression, the most important comorbid condition that affects patients, said leading neurologists in a statement to mark Parkinson’s Awareness Week.

Several treatments can reduce the symptoms and improve patient’s quality of life, informed Pakistan Stroke Society President Dr Qasim Bashir. However, patients need to realise that medications can slow the progress of the disease, not completely cure it, he clarified.

The average age for diagnosis is around 60, but 15% of patients are diagnosed before they are 50. These patients are said to have young-onset Parkinson’s diseases, he informed.

Further, researchers have discovered that males have an increased risk of 1.5 to 2 fold of developing Parkinson’s as compared to females, he said.



Senior Neurologist Amer Ikram stressed on the need for joint efforts. We should play our role in the community to spread awareness about Parkinson's disease, he expressed.

Discussing the causes of Parkinson’s, he said that it is still unknown. Researchers think that both genes and environment may play part. The disorder is due to a loss of nerve cells which are responsible for producing dopamine, a chemical which sends signals within the brain. Without a sufficient amount of dopamine, movement may be impaired, he elaborated.

We have to join hands to create awareness about Parkinson's, to help fight the disease as well as to show solidarity with patients, they concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2018.