Holiday stress, apathy can be part of Parkinson’s
‘Tis the season to be … stressed out. If there’s one thing that will push symptoms of Parkinson’s disease into overdrive, it’s trying to do it all.
Add feelings of apathy — which often come with Parkinson’s — to that holiday stress, and suddenly the chances of enjoying December are as flimsy as tinsel.
I’ll take a closer look at these two hindrances to a happy holiday season, and humbly offer a few solutions.
Stress
Being in a stressful situation causes problems for anyone, but for people with Parkinson’s it can trigger increases in tremors, gait problems, and dyskinesia.
I’ve felt this many times. When I’m in the car and fear I’ll be late for an appointment, my hand and foot shake like crazy. At night when I’m worried about a loved one, I’m up even earlier than my usual predawn wakeup and can’t get back to sleep.
Preparing for Christmas and other holidays fills up calendars quickly.
But there’s no joy in it when you’re feeling overwhelmed and the Parkinson’s symptoms are amplified.
For those coping with stress this holiday season, I have one solution to offer (though there are many others out there).
Cut down your to-do list.
I know, there are things you do “every year.” Everyone’s counting on you to do them, and that’s stressful.
Perhaps it’s time to tell yourself you can’t do them all anymore. And that it’s OK.
A while back, after 25 years of sending dozens of Christmas cards (often homemade and time consuming), I just stopped doing it. And I discovered:
- The world kept spinning.
- Christmas still came.
- The paper industry didn’t send me a nastygram.
- Nobody X’ed us off their own card lists.
And I felt I had unloaded a burden the size of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
Is there something that you can graciously say “no” to this year?
Apathy
First, what is apathy?
In short, it is when someone feels unmotivated to do anything, productive or otherwise.
Blame that lack of dopamine, the neurotransmitter linked to feelings of pleasure and motivation, for making Parkinson’s people more susceptible to apathy.
Someone experiencing apathy might say to themselves:
- “I used to love setting up my Christmas village, but not anymore.”
- “I just need to rest on the couch today, no need to get dressed.”
- “There’s no way I’m finishing wrapping all those presents.”
- “What’s the point of being at this party? I just want to go home.”
It’s well-documented that depression often comes with Parkinson’s disease, but apathy is different.
Depression includes feelings of sadness, while apathy is a decrease in self-started activity.
Apathy can be a part of depression, but it doesn’t have to be. It also can be debilitating and – here’s a happy thought – last for months.
Some doctors may prescribe antidepressants, which might bring relief. But often you’re on your own to deal with it.
I’ve rounded up some suggestions for countering apathy.
And finally, get some fresh air. Being outside does wonders for the psyche.
What have you tried that works? Add a comment and share what you’ve learned.
(Photo credits: 2nd one down, Elisa Ventur; 4th one down, Ron Lach)
I love these ideas!
Thanks. I’m with you, Lisa. I have to remind myself that the transition from idea to action is often the hardest part.