Anxiety can affect quality of life in Parkinson's Disease (PD) for both the person with PD and the caregiver/family. Here are some good resources to understand anxiety and how it can be treated.
NOTE: If you are in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Understanding Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety
Published by Parkinson's Foundation
Anxiety is a common non-motor symptom of PD due to both biological and psychological factors, and can manifest in several ways. Read a detailed explanation of anxiety in PD, including diagnosis, both medical and non-medical treatment options, and some tips for living with anxiety.
Anxiety and Parkinson's
Published by Parkinson's Disease Society of the United Kingdom, updated February 2023
This 11-page information sheet describes what anxiety is and how it can make you feel. It also looks at steps you can take to help manage your symptoms, and what treatments are available.
Anxiety and Parkinson’s Disease
Published by Parkinson’s Foundation, 2019
This two-page fact sheet explains that there are four types of anxiety. It outlines the psychological and biological factors that contribute to feelings of anxiety, as well as how anxiety is diagnosed and treated with both psychotherapy and non-conventional therapies. Tips for living with anxiety are also outlined.
Anxiety and Parkinson’s Disease: The Patient's Perspective
Published by Parkinson Alliance, Fall 2018
This 15-page research report summarizes how anxiety manifests in Parkinson's disease (PD) and treatment options before outlining the objectives, methods, and results of a survey on anxiety among those with PD.
The Relationship Between Stress, Anxiety and Parkinson’s Disease
By Dr. Rebecca Gilbert, published by American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), June 17, 2019
This blog post explains that stress and anxiety can be difficult to discern from one another because they manifest in indistinguishable ways. PD symptoms worsen and can become less responsive to medication during periods of stress. Adding medications to control anxiety can be helpful, but lifestyle modifications including exercise, meditation, psychotherapy and other complementary therapies should be considered.
Anxiety in PD
By Maria De León, MD, published by deafeatparkinsons.com, March 10, 2017
Dr. Maria De León speaks from her own experience, both as a neurologist and young onset patient, about why anxiety is underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. There are several presentations of anxiety and the symptoms mimic many other illnesses. For the proper diagnosis and the right treatment maintain a diary of symptoms and their timing, frequency, relationship to medication, food, and activity. Medications to treat are listed.
Treatment Strategies & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Can Help You Live Well with Parkinson's
By Roseanne D. Dobkin, PhD, published by Davis Phinney Foundation, August 4, 2021
This article explains what cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is and some tools you can learn through CBT to cope with depression and anxiety symptoms of Parkinson's. It includes self-assessment questions to determine if your mood is as good as you would like it to be.
Anxiety & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in PD
By American Parkinson Disease Association, February 15, 2023
In this 33-minute video, Siddhartha Nadkarnim, MD, explains how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can play an impactful role in helping people living with PD manage and conquer their anxiety.
Anxiety & Parkinson's
By Oregon Health & Sciences University, April 22, 2021
Part of OHSU's Essential Tools for Managing PD Educational Series, this two-hour recording has two speakers and Q&A. The first is psychiatrist Joel Mack, MD, who speaks about anxiety in Parkinson's Disease and how to manage it. The second is psychologist Kristine Hanna, PhD, who focuses on several tools in the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) toolbox. CBT is the gold standard for treatment of anxiety in the general population and those with PD.
Note: the presentation begins about 30-minutes into the recording.
Anxiety and Parkinson’s: Ask the Expert
By Annie Amjad, published by Parkinson’s UK, May 7, 2018
Amjad explains that 31% of people with PD will have symptoms of anxiety. This blog post identifies the emotional and physical symptoms of anxiety and the factors that make it more likely someone with PD will experience anxiety. Treatment options include SSRI medications and psychological treatments, like CBT. The best coping strategy is to continue doing things that make us anxious, but in a way that allows us to feel in control. A few ways to do this are outlined.
Anxiety in Parkinson’s Disease
By Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (Now the Parkinson’s Foundation), January 5, 2016
In this 68-minute webinar with slides, Dr. Joseph H. Friedman talks about anxiety in Parkinson’s disease, including treatment options.
Mood and Emotional Health
Depression and Anxiety in Parkinson’s Disease
By The Michael J. Fox Foundation, June 16, 2016
This 1-hour event includes an interview of a person with Parkinson’s disease, a psychiatrist, and a neuropsychiatrist. Panelists discuss the causes of depression and anxiety in Parkinson’s disease, the symptoms, and how to treat and manage this aspect of life with the disease.
Understanding the Emotionality of Parkinson's
By PMD Alliance, August 2, 2021
Movement disorders specialist Mindy Bixby speaks for about 35-minutes on the mechanisms that contribute to mood changes in PD, then answers questions. Her focus goes beyond anxiety and depression to include behavior changes. She offers both pharmaceutical and natural ways to counter these changes.
Mental Health and Parkinson's
By Parkinson Society British Columbia, March 30, 2021
In this 1-hour talk, clinical counselor Courtney Doherty describes depression, anxiety, and apathy -- all common changes in mood in Parkinson’s disease (PD). And she provides extensive information for how these changes can be treated, particularly in non-pharmacological ways.
Behavioral Disturbances
Anxiety and Behavioral Disturbances in PD
By PMD Alliance, October 6, 2022
In this one-hour webinar, Johns Hopkins psychiatrist Greg Pontone, MD, outlines how anxiety commonly manifests in PD and shares a flowchart showing how doctors approach treatment options. Dr. Pontone also discusses impulse control disorder (ICD), dopamine dysregulation syndrome, punding, and treatment options for these behavioral disorders.
Webinar Notes on the Stanford PD Community Blog
Anxiety and Depression in Parkinson’s and How to Manage Them
By Davis Phinney Foundation, February 24, 2020
Approximately 50-60% of people living with Parkinson’s experience varying levels of depression and anxiety. Learn about the differences between depression and anxiety and how they are related; different types of depression and anxiety; causes of depression and anxiety in people living with PD; when and how to treat depression and/or anxiety; the latest in treatments, including non-pharmacological interventions. The speaker is Gregory Pontone, MD, director, Johns Hopkins Parkinson's Disease Neuropsychiatry Clinic.
Tips for Caregivers
Moving with Mood Changes in Aging and Parkinson’s: A Look at Depression and Anxiety
By The Michael J. Fox Foundation, June 2020
In this one-hour webinar, a panel of physicians and people with PD that include a psychiatrist, neurologist, and a music producer discuss how and why mood changes, such as depression and anxiety, happen in Parkinson’s, how you and your loved ones can talk about these symptoms with each other and with your providers, and what treatment options are available.
Webinar Notes on the Stanford PD Community Blog
Mood & Cognition: Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease & how it impacts relationships
By Parkinson’s Canada, March 3, 2020
This 1-hour webinar will help you deal with relationship issues stemming from mood and cognitive changes that occur as a result of living with Parkinson’s disease. The webinar also focuses on various communication strategies.
Webinar notes on the Stanford PD Community Blog
Last updated May 2025 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.
