Tim Hodgens wrote:
> I am a psychologist in central Massachusetts with an interest in developing a subspecialty in working with people with Parkinson's
Disease. Do you think that PWP would go to a
psychologist/psychotherapist/behavioural health specialist for
management of stress/anxiety/panic/depression/despair, etc associated
with having PD?
Hello Tim,
Welcome to 'the list'.
Yes, a PWP would definitely seek help (and benefit) from any of the
above. In 1996 when my world crashed around me, my husband and I were
referred to a psychiatrist for counselling. As it turned out, the
psychiatrist had trained when psychiatry and neurology were a combined
service, so he was/is very knowledgable about PD. This particular man
specializes in mood disorders. If there is a spouse, it is important
that he or she attend with the PWP.
I guess we are vey fortunate, because we also have a social worker who
counsels PWP and their partners. He is very down to earth and easy to
talk to, and I have the honour of asking him to speak at one of our
support group meetings in the fall.
We also have at least one other psychiatrist who specializes in
Parkinsons, so if you have an interest in working with PWP, go for it,
because we need all the help we can get.
Judith
--
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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