 |
 |
Ronald: Yes, more should be explained to the newly diagnosed Parkinson patient at the time of finding out this new found reality. Maybe a phamplet suggesting the many feelings a person will go through and that they are to be expected. If one has gone through a death of someone important to them, they may be familiar with the different stages of shock, denial, bargaining, fear, acceptance, etc. and the fact they can overlap or happen in any sequence or return at different times. Being diagnosed with PD is like a death - of the old self and now you will be someone else, starting a new life. This information is sometimes mentioned by the physician but often forgotten in his/her familiarity with the physical aspects of the disease for which his/her prescriptions will be the "important" part of the treatment. With a handout the patient that wants to know can have a means to understand the emotional side a little better. The person who can't even comprehend what is happening and can't face it anyway, can take information with him/her for later reading. Is this what you were asking or am I off base? This could be an interesting disease if it wasn't happening to me!!! Patricia