• Symptoms of Parkinson's disease

  • Motor symptoms
  • Non-motor symptoms
  • Constipation
  • Sweating
  • Pain
  • Speech and facial expression
  • Sleep and fatigue
  • Sense of smell
  • Mood and behaviour
  • Apathy
  • Anxiety
  • Thought and memory

• Treatment Options

• PD: What you need to know

Mood and behaviour

A change in mood is a natural reaction to being diagnosed with PD, or developing a particular symptom. However, depression in PD can also be caused by the disease itself lowering the levels of chemicals in the brain that control mood. Signs of depression include: a negative view of oneself, one’s surroundings and the future; loss of motivation, energy, and interests (including social and sexual); poor sleep and memory; and a decreased appetite.

Depression is a treatable condition and, because it can have such a big impact on everyday life, it is important that the doctor is told about any mood changes in order to provide prompt treatment (for further information on the treatment of depression, see section on ‘Emotional support’). In addition, relieving depression can improve a person’s response to the therapy of other PD symptoms, and it can also offer relief to the caregiver, who may find it more difficult to offer support to a person who is depressed.