Parkinson's and Mental Health

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:36 am Post subject: Q: Parkinson's and Mental Health

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Dear Doctor,

Parkinson Disease is not only considered a neurological disease as what many year clinical claim. It is not only disease for body, mind and soul but disease of mind, mood and memory.

With the advancement of research and clinical observations, it has recently been classified as a neuropsychiatric disorder.
It means mental health changes are important as motor symptoms.

Many Parkinson's patient have been neglected as part of the mental sickness and continue struggle wth the complexities of these symptoms. It leads PD patient experience mood disturbance at some point during the illness as treatment are on motor symptoms rather than the mental health.

The mood changes are depression and anxiety and with other unrelated chronic diseases. It is estimated up to 50% of patients with PD experience. The anxiety and depression are due to changes in motor symptoms i.e. wearing off and on periods and other mental disturbances.


TEOKIMHOE

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Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD



Joined: 22 Jan 2007
Posts: 94
Location: www.nutritionucanlivewith.com
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 7:28 am Post subject:

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Dear Teo,
These are excellent points; and while some symptoms and concerns are medication-related, others may be due to nutrient deficiencies. Certain types of depression can be caused by a lack of omega-3 fatty acids, important for the brain and nervous system, and found in fatty fish, such as salmon. Vitamin B12 can deplete very slowly, over a period of months or years; and one sign can be depression, even an Alzheimer-type dementia.

I recommend that people with PD have blood tests regularly for the B vitamins; and have several servings of fish each week, for best health.
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Best regards,
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD
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