Depression and parkinsons - Parkinson's Disease Message Board

Bruce · 05-29-2003, 04:02 PM

After watching Larry King's interview with some well known people about depression, i searched the net to see what i can find. I had been told i had depression several years ago by an internist, but i have doubted many things he told me.

29,000 people commit suicide in this country every year. Depression is very common and, if you are working, it carries a strong stigma. People keep it secret so they won't lose their job.

Here is when it gets interesting. About 50% of people with pd are depressed, and in about 20% of them the depression is the first symptom of pd. This means according to one study, that depression msy sppear several years before any clinical signs of pd are seen.

Bruce

Googy · 05-29-2003, 08:20 PM

Bruce,

Many people read these postings but dont post,or cannot.This was something that I do know about.1989 many years after Bill's PD.I had a place for us to go to,yes Suicide.I couldn't see a way out for him or myself.

But I knew I couldn't because of leaving my family with this.
Now of course it is past.But that as you said is depression,when you cannot see any way out.

thanks Bruce ,

Googy

Bruce · 05-30-2003, 02:56 PM

Googy, I can relate to depression, because, as you know, when I was still working I was so stressed out from working too many hours and i was worried that i would be fired at any moment, becasue the pd was catching up with me.

Now in spite of the progression of the pd, I am free of all that stress and look forward to each day, feeling lucky to be independent and enjoying each day as if it were my last.

Something else i learned after posting this topic is their is a long list of drugs that can cause depression. Among those listed is a common pd drug which i take and that is Bromocriptine

Also, their is a genetic link to depression and suicide. An example is the Hemingway family. With the link, substance abuse can be a lethal combination.

Bruce

Googy · 05-30-2003, 03:28 PM

Bruce,

Bill took Parlodel ( bromocripton ) for many years.we know all drugs have some side effects.But it did help the PD at that time Yes I remember you telling me about the stress of you job.I know many PLWP feel the same way.

Thanks,

Googy

EdinNJ · 06-16-2003, 04:42 PM

I just saw a handout from the National Institute on Mental Health that says that...

"as many as half of the people with Parkinson's may suffer from depression."

Also says...

"Men, who are more likely to develop Parkinson's, are more likely than women to have difficulty acknowledging depression."

That's NIMH publication #02-5007, published May, 2002.
Titled: "Depression and Parkinson's Disease"

I would guess you can get a copy by calling NIMH at 1-800-421-4211.

Take care & hope, - Ed