Loneliness and Steps to Prevent It

NoN Community,

Parkinson's Disease can be very isolating.  It is a fact that has been brought to the forefront these past 2 years in the midst of the COVID pandemic.  Along with the loneliness can come depression and anxiety (research estimates 50-70% of people with PD will experience this).  These can have serious and deleterious effects on your health and well-being. 

We recommend the following steps to help:
 
- discuss these feelings with your entire healthcare team (general practitioner, neurologist, physical therapist).  We strongly recommend adding a psychiatrist to your team to help navigate this journey.
- meet with a dietician to discuss healthy eating habits to help improve mood and well-being
- discuss these feelings with your friends and family.  You are not alone.  In most cases they want to help, but don't know how.  Tell them.
- join the local support group.
- join a local activity group that interests you
- Every day write down something positive from your day
 
This is obviously a short post on a complex topic.  Sometimes it's complexity leaves people stuck.  We believe the items above are a great place to start.  What can you do to help yourself today?  Check out the "Take Action Today" suggestion below.  Feel free to share things that have helped you in the comments below.  You never know who you might help!
 
Thanks!

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Take Action Today - Reach out to one new contact today.  It can be a friend, someone from a support group, family, healthcare team, or someone from a zoom program you've done.  Set up a time once a week to talk, have coffee, etc.  It doesn't always need to be about PD, but it can be if needed.  Sometimes just knowing you have someone to reach out to is enough.

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