The Living with Parkinson's Tip of the Day: Do not be embarrassed to take an antidepressant drug

It has been said that the largest unmet hurdle in Parkinson’s disease is depression (USA Today from Parkinson’s Foundation study findings in the Parkinson’s outcomes project).

Though this fact may be debatable— this should draw our complete attention.

Depressive symptoms and depression in Parkinson’s disease are the result of biological changes in the brain.

Dopamine is not the only chemical that is abnormal in the setting of Parkinson’s disease.

Serotonin deficiency can be addressed with a SSRI medication. Serotonin and norepinephrine deficiency can be addressed by a SNRI medication. These chemicals when in shortage can contribute to depression.

The bottom line is that you should not be embarrassed to take an antidepressant in the setting of Parkinson’s disease.

Read more in the book Living with Parkinson’s.

Michael OkunOctober 8, 2020

To read more books and articles by Michael S. Okun MD check him out on Twitter, @MichaelOkun, and also Amazon.com. The 14 books he has written including #Livingwith Parkinson’s #EndingPD #Parkinsonsecrets #LessonsFromTheBedside Dr. Okun also serves as the Medical Advisor for the Parkinson’s Foundation.

To read more on Indu Subramanian M.D. she does live interviews of experts in Parkinson’s for the PMD Alliance. She is one of the few doctors in the world trained in both Parkinson’s disease neurology and in integrative medicine.

To see more on our blog by artist Jonny Acheson MD check out his website at JonnyAchesonArt.com. Jonny is a physician in the U.K. who also has Parkinson’s disease.

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The Living with Parkinson's Tip of the Day: Do not be embarrassed to take an antidepressant drug

To read more on Indu Subramanian M.D. she does live interviews of experts in Parkinson’s for the PMD Alliance﻿. She is one of the few doctors in the world trained in both Parkinson’s disease neurology and in integrative medicine.

To see more on our blog by artist Jonny Acheson MD check out his website at JonnyAchesonArt.com. Jonny is a physician in the U.K. who also has Parkinson’s disease.

Dr. Michael S. Okun

To read more on Indu Subramanian M.D. she does live interviews of experts in Parkinson’s for the PMD Alliance. She is one of the few doctors in the world trained in both Parkinson’s disease neurology and in integrative medicine.