Demoralization in Parkinson Disease

Demoralization correlated imperfectly with depression scores in patients with PD.

Symptoms of demoralization include feeling helpless and hopeless and a sense of failure. When demoralized, patients may not respond appropriately to stressful situations. Researchers explored the prevalence and associated features of demoralization in 94 Parkinson disease patients and 86 healthy controls. Demoralization was measured by a positive score on either of two questionnaires: the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research — Demoralization or the Kissane Demoralization Scale score.

Seventeen (18.1%) of 94 participants with PD were demoralized versus 7 (8.1%) of 86 controls, a significant difference. Although depression was highly associated with demoralization, the two conditions did not always co-occur. Of those with demoralizat…

Reviewing Author

Michael S. Okun, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America

Speaker’s BureauMedscape/WebMD CME, Movement Disorders Society CME, American Academy of Neurology CME

RoyaltiesBooks4Patients; Demos; Cambridge; Taylor and Francis; Robert Rose; Public Affairs

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; Parkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America; University of Florida Foundation

Editorial BoardsTremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements; JAMA Neurology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesParkinson’s Foundation (Medical Advisor)