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.
More general information about Parkinson's disease can be found on our Overview of PD page.
Short Overviews
5 Tips for the Newly Diagnosed
By Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach Program, June 2024
This four-minute video passes on tips from people with Parkinson's to those who are newly diagnosed. The video's description provides several links to Stanford Parkinson's webpages to find a support group, exercise (benefits, classes, and videos), nutrition, and more.
A Primer on Parkinson's for the Newly Diagnosed
Published by Davis Phinney Foundation, January 23, 2017
This webpage has five expanding sections with information answering these questions: How is Parkinson’s diagnosed? How did I get Parkinson’s and when did it start? What is a Parkinson’s care team and who should be on mine? What can I do to live well with Parkinson’s? Where can I find more resources and information?
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. Suggestions are based on research and what those with PD and their care partners have found most effective in delaying the progression of symptoms and being ready for coping with advanced stages.
Spanish: See En español below.
Newly Diagnosed Guide
Published by Parkinson's Foundation
This eight-page booklet was created with direction from people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) to ensure readers have the information they need to know. It 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.
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.
Three Best Guidebooks
APDA Parkinson’s Disease Handbook
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, 2025
Your go-to guide for understanding Parkinson’s, including symptoms, treatment options, and management strategies. This comprehensive resource also offers practical advice for daily living, coping techniques, and information on available support networks to help you navigate life with Parkinson’s. You’ll turn to this resource again and again as you get started.
Spanish: See En español below.
Simplified Chinese: See 中文出版物 below.
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 Disease (PD). It also talks about whether you should get a second opinion, how did you get PD (and will your children get it), managing emotions and how stress makes symptoms worse, finding good advice and information about PD, managing symptoms, making the most of doctor appointments, participating in PD 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. It's a candid and relatable guide for patients and families living with Parkinson's.
Spanish: See En español below.
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. She answered audience questions on being newly diagnosed and symptoms.
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.
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: 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.
Advice from Neurologists
New to Parkinson's? Steps to Take Today
By The Michael J. Fox Foundation, February 2021
In this one-hour webinar from the Third Thursday Webinar series, panelists discuss practical 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 expert panelists and people with Parkinson’s discuss practical tips and personal viewpoints on being diagnosed with PD as well as ways to connect with the community. Registration is required but is free.
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.
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 and how to exercise consistently and safely with PD. Part four (45 minutes) addresses how a social worker, occupational therapist, and speech language therapist can help.
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.
中文出版物
帕金森病手册
由 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
由 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。
Last updated July 2025 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.