09 May How Can Demoralized Parkinson’s Disease Patients Be Treated?
Parkinson’s disease, though a very common disease, is often very stressful for the patients, resulting in getting demoralized. Although the disease does not result in hazardous conditions or death, but it definitely may result in taking to bed or wheelchair, if the conditions reach the last stage. Earlier stages of the ailment cause hindrance in patients’ lives for even the simplest of tasks like holding a pen, holding a cup, buttoning up a shirt, and tying shoelaces. If these conditions are not controlled at an earlier stage, the problem only grows further, resulting in immobility.
When one cannot perform even the simplest of everyday tasks, it is natural that they start feeling helpless and hopeless, and inferior to others. They start having a sense of being a failure, and when they are in public, they get stressed because of being ashamed of their condition. And, this stress only worsens their condition. So, how can such patients be treated? While there is no permanent cure for the ailment, but the conditions can be controlled, and the possibilities of stepping up to the next stage of the disorder can be reduced. Dr. Shivam Om Mittal is a renowned Parkinson’s disease specialist in UAE who you can approach for having your Parkinson’s disease treated. Your treatment plan will depend on your symptoms and your body condition. It could include medications, exercises, and therapies at first. And, only if your condition is at a worse stage, will you be subject to taking injections or undergoing a surgery.
How can demoralization be measured? Is there a study or machine that can identify or measure it? Not yet. So then, how would you know if a person is demoralized? A research was conducting between patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease versus normal people by Brian Koo. Three scores were set – the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research, the Demoralization Questionnaire, and the Kissane Demoralization Scale score. If any of these scores were seen to be positive, the patient would be counted as demoralized. As a result of this research, it was seen that 18% of Parkinson’s patients were demoralized, as compared to only 8% of normal people! In some of these 18% demoralized ones, depression was also seen to be present. The most patients at risk included those who were younger and unmarried. This research clearly shows that almost a one-fifth part of Parkinson’s patients observes demoralization, if not more. And, depression could also be accompanied with the condition, although not necessarily.
If you feel that you or someone around you is a victim of such demoralization, these tips could help you analyze.
- You must speak to a counseling psychologist or a licensed clinical social worker. If the condition seems to be severe, you may consider getting in touch with a psychiatrist.
- Don’t presuppose that you are facing depression; but if you are, worry not, because depression can be treated, and a depression treatment can definitely cure your demoralization effects to a great extent.
- You may opt for a cognitive behavioural therapy (while more research is needed I the segment).
