Parkinson’s Support Group

Besides medications, Parkinsons support is essential to understand this devastating disease. Parkinson’s disease is a chronic movement disorder which affects close to 1.2 million people in the US. The disorder is progressive and affects nerve cells in the brain which make dopamine. When dopamine-making nerve cells die, symptoms of Parkinsons appear. The disorder is characterized by tremors, muscle rigidity and slow movements. By the time symptoms of Parkinson’s disease appear, most individuals have already lost 60-80 percent of the nerves permanently.

The diagnosis of Parkinsons can be devastating because there is no cure. The available medications do work initially but become less effective with time. There are a few surgical procedures but the results are mediocre and not everyone responds to them.

Living with Parkinson’s disease is physically challenging and can be emotionally devastating. Understandably one will feel angry, anxious, or discouraged at times. As the disease progresses, it can be overpoweringly frustrating since one can no longer speak, put on clothes, walk or even eat. Every act of living becomes difficult and very time consuming.

Patients with Parkinsons disease can now seek help through support groups. Although family and friends can help, Parkinsons support groups do much more because they consist of individuals who are going through the same disease process. With Parkinsons disease support, one gets to understand the disease better, know what treatments are available and how to improve the quality of life. It is the experience of many individuals which is freely available. Asides from health care professionals, support groups provide the best practical information about the disease. Moreover, support groups provide online forums where one can share similar experiences or problems. By meeting together, Parkinsons support groups offer both practical and emotional support.

Support groups also organize formal lectures by health care professionals on the latest advances in Parkinsons and what clinical trials are currently taking place. In most cases, support groups are an informal way to meet, discuss and understand the disease process. To get the most benefit from a support group, one should make an attempt to attend regularly.
Besides open communication, Parkinsons disease groups hold social events, trips, yoga, art therapy, physiotherapy and cognitive training sessions. Support groups bring back life and renew hope in how to deal with a chronic disease. Finally, support groups will give you a chance to make new friends and breakdown the feelings of helplessness, depression or isolation. When you belong to a support group, you will never feel alone.
There are Parkinsons disease support groups established in almost every major city and town in the USA. The majority of these support groups have their own websites where details are posted.
To know if there is a support group in your area, speak to your physician or a social worker. One can even go to the national Parkinson Foundation or the American Parkinson Disease Association where all registered support groups can be viewed. Besides meeting physically, support groups also offer online chat sessions. Parkinsons support has been made a lot easier with the internet whereby one can communicate and transfer information.