• Parkinson Disease May Affect Your Spouse As Well If you are living with a chronic disease, you know that it can affect everyone around you--including your family and friends, and especially your caregiver. Usually the caregiver is a spouse but may also be a good friend or other family member. The caregiver can be under a lot of pressure or feel rushed to "get everything done" and may even experience anxiety or depression. When you think of Parkinson (PD) disease, the classic motor symptoms come to mind: stiffness, difficulty with balance, shakiness of the hands, and slow movements. There are, however, symptoms of PD that are not related to motor function. These others symptoms may include depression, dizziness, constipation, problems with sexual function, and a change in the way you think or process information. These are called non-motor symptoms. A recent study looked at the ways in which early- to middle-stage PD can have an effect on the spouse caregiver (husband or wife). The researchers wanted to find out if there was a link between the two different types of PD symptoms (motor and non-motor) and the mental health of the caregiver. Researchers examined the motor and non-motor symptoms of people with early- to middle-stage PD and then looked at levels of depression and different types of strain experienced by caregivers. What were the results of the study? The researchers found that, although motor symptoms in the people with PD were linked with a few types of strain and depression in the caregiver, non-motor symptoms were even more strongly linked. This does not necessarily mean that symptoms of people with PD cause depression in caregivers but simply that there is a link between the two. Why is this study important? This study is important because, even though motor symptoms are more noticeable in the early and middle stages of PD, it seems to be the non-motor symptoms--the mood changes and the difficulty with thinking--of the person with PD that have an even greater effect on the caregiver at this time. What can you do? Be sure when you talk to your doctor about your PD, you share with him or her anything that has been bothering you. PD may affect more than how you are able to function physically; it may also affect your emotional and mental health--and perhaps those of your caregiver. Doctors need to treat the person who has PD, not just the disease. If your doctor doesn't ask you how you are feeling, start this discussion yourself. It is okay to ask for help, and together you can find resources in your community. If you are a caregiver who finds it difficult to function because you feel depressed or overwhelmed, please ask for help. Caring for a loved one may be a challenging undertaking, but you don't have to do it alone. Be sure to take care of yourself first. Ask for help or check out local resources and support groups that will help you feel connected. You may also wish to take part in our PD discussion forum at WE MOVE. Here you can find help and support not only from people who have PD, but also from the people who care for them. Click on the discussion tab at the top of the home page. Scroll down to the Parkinson disease forum and log in to find others who, like you, are facing the challenges and joys of living with a person with PD.