What you're experiencing is a real and recognized aspect of Parkinson's disease. These feelings can stem from both the emotional challenges of living with Parkinson's and the actual changes happening in your brain. The decrease in dopamine that occurs with Parkinson's affects not just movement, but also mood and behavior.
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What you're experiencing is a real and recognized aspect of Parkinson's disease. These feelings can stem from both the emotional challenges of living with Parkinson's and the actual changes happening in your brain. The decrease in dopamine that occurs with Parkinson's affects not just movement, but also mood and behavior.
Common emotional and behavioral changes include:
• Increased irritability and anger
• Difficulty with impulse control
• Impatience
• Mood swings If you're taking dopamine agonist medications (like Mirapex or Requip), these could potentially contribute to impulse control issues. Research shows that some patients develop impulse control disorders while on these medications.
It's important to:
• Talk to your healthcare provider about these symptoms
• Keep track of when these mood changes occur
• Note if they coincide with medication timing
• Consider practicing self-care activities like taking short walks or finding quiet time alone
October 7, 2025
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