Parkinson’s Non-Motor Symptoms

While the effects of Parkinson’s on movement are often the most visible, non-motor symptoms can have an even more significant effect on quality of life. Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s may outnumber motor symptoms and can appear years before motor symptoms. Non-motor symptoms include those that fall into three categories: emotional, cognitive, and autonomic.  

In this collection of resources, you can find information about the many common non-motor symptoms, including constipation, depression, anxiety, apathy, cognitive changes, nOH, fatigue and sleepiness, sleep disturbances, pain, speech and swallowing concerns, and more.

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The Parkinson’s You Don’t See

Some of the first symptoms people with Parkinson’s experience are not visible to others. In this presentation, Dr. Joanne Hamilton explains what to expect and how to distinguish symptoms caused by Parkinson’s from those caused by medicationswhile offering hope and practical strategies for understanding and managing non-motor challenges. 

What Are the Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s?

The effects of Parkinson’s not related to movement are called non-motor symptoms. In this article, we help you identify and learn about the various non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s so you can take action to live well. 

Depression, Anxiety, and Apathy and How to Manage Them

Approximately 50-60% of people living with Parkinson’s experience varying levels of depression and anxiety. It’s important to know the difference between depression, anxiety, and apathy in Parkinson’s so you can accurately explain how you’re feeling to your doctor and get the care you need. In this webinar, Dr. Gregory Pontone explains the difference between a variety of mood-related issues in Parkinson’s and how to manage them. 

Speech, Voice, and Parkinson’s Q&A

When we hosted a webinar with speech-language pathologist John Dean (you can get access to the recording here), we received so many questions during the session that we weren’t able to answer them all. So, John was kind enough to do a written Q&A for us. Check out the post to see his expert answers to dozens of common questions about speech, voice, and Parkinson’s. 

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Sleep, Parkinson’s, and Living Well today

Parkinson’s can affect sleep in many ways, ranging from trouble falling or staying asleep at night to excessive sleepiness during the day. Good sleep boosts everything from your mood to your ability to think and process to your physical movement. Understanding sleep problems and Parkinson’s is often the first step you can take to enhance your sleep. In this conversation, Dr. Ron Postuma discusses the causes of sleep problems in Parkinson’s, the difference between sleep changes related to aging and those related to Parkinson’s, the difference between sleepiness and fatigue, the connection between sleep and medication, and types of sleep disorders (somnolence, insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder) and how to treat them.

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