Source: ezinearticles.com
Serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine are all chemicals that are involved in regulating mood, energy, motivation, appetite and sleep. In addition, the frontal lobe of the brain, which is important in controlling, face mask recipies , mood,, face mask recipies , is known to, face mask recipies , be under active in people with Parkinson's. It's no wonder that Parkinson's patients may look sad. We have every right -our brain is messed up. But looking sad and feeling sad are two different things.
PD recipients have three strikes against them in the mood-controlling department, the first mentioned above, face mask recipies , . The second is that we can sometimes wear what is referred to as a 'masked face'. This is not an optional 'mask' they wear, due to the possibility of depression being present. No, it is one of the gifts that Little Monster (aka PD) gives to us. Because of the disease, the PD patient has no control over the facial muscles that have decided to give in and not hold our, face mask recipies , smiles anymore. So naturally, because the majority of the public, face mask recipies , hasn't a clue what's going on behind our faces (and some PD'ers I've met), our lack of expression can often be (and believe me, it is) misconstrued as a sign that we are sad or depressed. This is not true.
We have this other part of our brain called the frontal lobe, face mask recipies , . It is a very important place in the brain that helps to control moods. The problem here is that for PD patients, it is known to be underactive, which gives us the third strike against control over our moods.
I have been asked several times, "Why are you so sad?" or, "Are you depressed?" or, "What's wrong?" I'm not sad. I'm not depressed. In addition, nothing was wrong until I was asked all those questions and then began wondering that maybe something was wrong. Maybe there is something I'm supposed to be sad or depressed over and I just haven't found out about it yet. A surefire way to get someone feeling low (at least, for me) is to tell him or her how 'low' he or she looks. Works every time. It's called the power of suggestion.
I was sitting with a friend the other day, listening to her tell me about things in her life. As far as I knew, nothing had changed in, face mask recipies , my appearance. She then asked, unexpectedly and interrupting herself, "Are you okay? You look like you're going to cry."
I was fine. However, then I questioned myself. Was I fine? Why do I look so sad to her? Do I feel sad? Am I going to cry? Should I cry? Is there something to cry about that I missed? Alas, after a thorough examination of my brain, I concluded that yes, I was fine. I didn't feel sad, but for reasons beyond my control, I looked sad. I chalked that up to Little Monster stealing my smile.
We can try and look on the lighter side of this issue, but for some PD'ers (and others), depression is not only very real but it is a real battle. Dr. Anthony Santiago once stated that in some PD cases, depression is the first symptom of this disease. Through the course of living, face mask recipies , with PD, it can continue to be a symptom for the reasons stated above, in regards to the chemical make up of our brain. In addition, the patient is daily staring a chronic illness in the face. That in itself is enough to cause depression.
So, what to do? Make sure you are, face mask recipies , being optimally treated for PD. If you're not receiving the correct medications for you for poor sleep, constipation, fatigue, freezing episodes and more, these can contribute to depression. That is why you need to discuss anything that may be relevant or not with your physician to get the best care. What we think may not be associated with PD, may very likely be.
It goes without saying that regular exercise is an important part of being at your best, not only physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. I find that if I'm striving for better health and begin to or increase my exercise, I tend to make better choices when it comes to food. I look at it like - I just walked a mile and I'm not eating that Butterfinger and cancel out what I just accomplished. (I'll save it and eat it the next day. Hopefully by then, someone else will have found it.)
It's a proven fact that if we get up and get going we'll feel better mentally, as well. Depression means just 'how it sounds'. It depresses the individual, face mask recipies , within whom it dwells. It saddens them, makes them feel discouraged and disheartened. While this is happening, the individual is focused on wanting to feel better, to feel something. More often than not, the individual struggling with depression focuses on himself and how bad he may feel.
Chip Ingram , former Walk Thru the Bible president, once told a story of a doctor he knew who was treating a patient for depression and that nothing he seemed to be doing was working. He finally told this patient to go to a certain room in the local hospital and read to the cancer patient in there each afternoon. Within, face mask recipies , a week, his depressed patient's spirit, emotional well being and mental outlook had improved dramatically. The once depressed patient realized there were others worse off, by taking his eyes off himself and put them on another.
There are, however, many cases of depression that don't fit into that theory of treatment, some due to chemical imbalances or injuries that are difficult to treat, even with medication. These need the regular and constant attention of a qualified physician and/or psychologist. Sometimes there are just no easy answers for treating depression and since each case is individual and unique, so are the treatments.
If you feel you tend to get depressed at times, or are feeling sad, think about joining a support, face mask recipies , group, if you haven't already done so. Start a hobby. Get involved in a recreational or social activity. Dance is becoming more popular and well known for its benefits to PD patients, in terms of exercise and is a great way to, face mask recipies , meet new people. I've never met a depressed person who was dancing.
Many effective and safe medications have been used to treat depression in people with PD. If you haven't already, discuss your concerns with your doctor and ask if another treatment might suit you better.
Remember, as a PD patient, caregiver, or friend, progress is being made every day towards finding a cure. Until then, get the best treatment you can, tailored to you. Your doctor can only treat you as well as you are willing to confide in him with what you are experiencing.
Living with PD, offering support and encouragement while pointing you to great resources are what we're about at Parkinson's Disease and Deppression. Please feel free to visit us at: http://www.parkinsonsjourney.com
