Learning you have Parkinson's disease (PD) may bring up feelings ranging from disbelief and despair, to relief at knowing the cause of previously unexplained symptoms. Now that you have this diagnosis, what is your first step? The short answer is, take a breath and learn about living with PD before making any significant life changes.
PD is not a death sentence, but it is progressive. The resources on this page will help you come to terms with your diagnosis, think about when and how to tell friends and family, understand that your symptoms are unique to you, and teach you to build on others' experience for your best quality of life with PD.
If you are newly-diagnosed with Young-Onset PD, check out our resources page. Or, if you are a woman newly-diagnosed with PD, check out our women's resources page. Also, note that there are virtual support groups intended for newly-diagnosed people.
Short Overviews
5 Tips for the Newly Diagnosed
By Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach Program, June 2024
This four-minute video shares practical advice for people newly diagnosed with Parkinson's, including when to start medications, why exercise is critical, diet recommendations, and how to make the most of neurologist appointments.
A Primer on Parkinson's for the Newly Diagnosed
Published by Davis Phinney Foundation, January 23, 2017
This article covers how Parkinson's is diagnosed, what causes it and when it may start, treatment options including medication and exercise, how to build a care team of medical, complementary therapy, and emotional well-being providers, and ten actionable tips for living well after diagnosis.
Living Well with Parkinson's Disease, 10 Things You Can Do Now
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, 2018
This two-page educational supplement suggests 10 lifestyle changes to most effectively care for yourself after a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease.
Spanish: See En español below.
Newly Diagnosed Guide
Published by Parkinson's Foundation
This eight-page booklet provides an overview of PD (symptoms, causes, and treatments), 5 steps to live better today with PD, and talks about building your care team, preparing for appointments, and questions to ask your doctor.
See also the 27-page booklet, Frequently Asked Questions: A Guide to Parkinson's Disease, published in 2024. It provides info about symptoms, treatments, exercise and therapies, hospital safety, finding support, staying independent, the impact of PD on the family, and research. (This guide has replaced the 2017 publication, "Parkinson's Disease: What You and Your Family Should Know.")
Spanish: See En español, below.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Parkinson’s Disease
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, August 30, 2022
In this blog post, there are 10 questions to help guide conversations with the neurologist for those newly-diagnosed with PD. The APDA suggests printing out this list of questions and bringing it to the appointment, adding additional questions of personal interest. Additionally, bring a family member or friend who can listen, take some notes, and talk through the information after the appointment.
Four Best Guidebooks
APDA Parkinson’s Disease Handbook
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, 2025
This comprehensive guide for understanding Parkinson’s, including symptoms, treatment options, and management strategies, offers practical advice for daily living, coping techniques, and support networks to help you navigate life with Parkinson’s.
Spanish: See En español below.
Simplified Chinese: See 中文出版物 below.
Every Victory Counts
Published by Davis Phinney Foundation, 2021
This 382-page manual provides an overview of Parkinson's, direction in assembling your wellness team and participating in research and discusses managing emotions. The focus is on managing symptoms through exercise, nutrition, counseling and medications.
Guide for the Newly Diagnosed
Published by The Michael J. Fox Foundation, January 19, 2022
This 32-page booklet offers six tips for your first year with Parkinson's. It also talks about whether you should get a second opinion, how did you get PD (and will your children get it), coping with emotions and stress, finding good advice and info, managing symptoms, making the most of doctor appointments, participating in research, and sharing your diagnosis with others.
PD 360: Real Talk for Patients and Families
Published by The Michael J. Fox Foundation, 2016
This 58-page booklet walks through the different symptoms, as well as the emotional and social changes that may arise at different points in the journey.
Spanish: See En español below.
Disclosure of Diagnosis
Disclosure of Diagnosis (of Parkinson’s Disease)
Published by Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach, March 20, 2026
These notes from a Philadelphia and Richmond VA webinar walk through the disclosure decision audience by audience: spouses and partners, children, friends, colleagues, employers, and elderly parents. Includes research on the costs of concealment, practical guidance for each conversation, and a discussion of workplace legal protections and the Job Accommodation Network.
Online Course
Parkinson's MOOC
By the University of Tasmania, 2025
This 5-module Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge about Parkinson’s, its symptoms, risk factors and pathology, medicines and medical devices, allied health therapies, and strategies for living well with Parkinson’s.
In-depth Overviews by Neurologists
I was Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, Now What?
By American Parkinson Disease Association, March 31, 2022
Movement disorders specialist Dr. Stephanie Bissonnette maintains that your priorities following a PD diagnosis should be exercise, a healthy diet, and medication if symptoms interfere with daily activities or the ability to exercise.
See also I Was Just Diagnosed With PD - Now What? by Abby Olsen, MD, PhD, speaking for 35 minutes in February 2023 on reactions to a new diagnosis, stages of PD, "average" progression, and building a care team.
Newly Diagnosed: Building a Better Life with Parkinson's
By Parkinson's Foundation, June 18, 2021
In this 95-minute video, a neurologist and a social worker provide an overview of PD, including causes, symptoms, disease management, as well as resources and tools to live well. This program explores the physical and emotional impact of Parkinson’s on the individual and family.
See also Newly Diagnosed: Living Your Best Life with Parkinson’s from June 9, 2020. This one-hour webinar touches on the importance of patient education and support from the time of diagnosis, caregiver burden and how to prevent it, the interdisciplinary care team approach, and the role of palliative care in PD.
New to Parkinson's? Steps to Take Today
By The Michael J. Fox Foundation, February 2021
In this one-hour webinar, panelists discuss tips for navigating a new Parkinson’s diagnosis, including how to build your care team, ways to connect with the community and opportunities to participate in research.
See also I’ve Got Parkinson’s…Now What? Navigating a New Parkinson’s Diagnosis from May 2020. In this one-hour webinar, people describe personal viewpoints on being diagnosed with PD. Registration is required but is free.
Parkinson's Disease 101: What You and Your Family Should Know
By Parkinson's Foundation, April 4, 2024
In this one-hour webinar, movement disorders specialist Leslie J. McCloud, MD, provides a basic overview of Parkinson’s disease, including what Parkinson’s is, what causes it, common symptoms, treatments, and strategies for managing symptoms.
Parkinson's Disease: New Diagnosis Workshop
By Parkinson Society British Columbia, February 8, 2022
This four-part webinar series is for a newly diagnosed audience. Part one (one hour) provides an overview of PD causes, risk factors, diagnosis, disease progression, and symptoms. Part two (one hour) focuses on symptom management. Part three (90 minutes) is on the benefits of exercise. Part four (45 minutes) addresses how a social worker, occupational therapist, and speech language therapist can help.
Parkinson’s Disease: The Essentials
By American Parkinson Disease Association, February 25, 2025
This is a 20-minute video overview about the basics of PD, including key facts about symptoms, treatment options, and daily management strategies.
Simplified Chinese: See 中文出版物 below.
En español
Cómo vivir con la enfermedad de Parkinson
Publicado por American Parkinson Disease Association, 2018
Este folleto ofrece diez recomendaciones clave para personas recién diagnosticadas con la enfermedad de Parkinson. Incluye consejos sobre cómo formar un equipo médico integral, incorporar el ejercicio físico, mantener una alimentación saludable, dormir bien, explorar terapias complementarias, participar en estudios clínicos, unirse a grupos de apoyo, involucrarse en actividades de defensa y planificar el futuro. El propósito es ayudar a los pacientes a tomar un rol activo en su cuidado y mejorar su calidad de vida.
Conociendo la enfermedad de Parkinson
Publicado por The Michael J. Fox Foundation, 2016
Este folleto de 58 páginas explica los distintos síntomas, así como los cambios emocionales y sociales que pueden surgir en diferentes etapas del recorrido. Es una guía sincera y accesible para los pacientes y sus familias que viven con la enfermedad de Parkinson.
La guía informativa de la enfermedad de Parkinson
Publicado por American Parkinson Disease Association, 2023
Esta guía integral le ayudará a comprender todos los aspectos clave de la enfermedad de Parkinson y a vivir una vida plena con el diagnóstico. Incluye información sobre síntomas comunes, tratamientos disponibles, consejos prácticos para el cuidado diario, y un resumen de investigaciones clínicas actuales. También encontrará una lista de recursos útiles al final del documento. Es una herramienta esencial tanto para personas con Parkinson como para sus cuidadores.
Preguntas Frecuentes
Publicado por Parkinson's Foundation, 2024
Esta guía de 27 páginas responde a las preguntas más frecuentes sobre síntomas motores y no motores, tratamientos, ejercicio y terapias, seguridad hospitalaria, cómo encontrar apoyo, mantener la independencia, el impacto de la EP en la familia, e investigación. Incluye un apéndice con una lista de medicamentos.
Primeros pasos en el cuidado del Parkinson
Publicado por Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach, Febrero 2025
Resumen de un webinar de EP Salud en casa en el que el Dr. Carlos Ceballos, especialista en trastornos del movimiento, explica cómo se diagnostica la EP, cuándo iniciar el tratamiento y qué pasos concretos pueden marcar la diferencia en la calidad de vida. Carla Velastegui, hija adulta cuidadora, comparte estrategias prácticas para aprovechar al máximo las citas médicas. El video del webinar también está disponible.
中文出版物
帕金森病手册
American Parkinson Disease Association 出版, 2023 年
这本权威指南是您了解帕金森病的首选资源，内容涵盖症状、治疗选择和疾病管理策略。手册还提供实用建议，帮助患者应对日常生活中的挑战，掌握应对技巧，并了解可用的支持网络，助您积极应对帕金森病生活。随着您逐步适应，这本手册将成为您反复查阅的重要工具。
带您走近帕金森病
American Parkinson Disease Association 出版, 2025 年2月25日
这是一段时长约 1 小时的视频简介，介绍了帕金森病的基础知识，包括症状、治疗选择和日常管理策略的重点信息。
帕金森病：您和您的家人应该了解的知识
帕金森基金会出版, 2017 年
这本41页的手册提供了帕金森病的基本概述。主题包括症状、诊断、帕金森综合征、治疗选择、组建您的医疗团队、接受和适应帕金森病，以及保持健康。还包含了年轻发病帕金森病患者特殊关注事项的章节。
Last updated April 2026 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.