Parkinson’s disease not only affects the person who has it but the family as well. It is an emotional period with the different ways the disease might interfere with your loved ones in the future. Picturing the life of disabilities instead of abilities. These could be traumatic for some friends and families. Usually, there are a few stages of emotional responses in the patient according to the National Parkinson’s Foundation. First, it is denial, where the person may not accept reality and refuse medications. Then the patient may become discouraged and look for something or someone to blame for this unwanted experience. After that, there are role conflicts among the patient and the family members because of the change in routines and the challenges from the symptoms. Gradually, each party would accept the identity change and move on to the final stage of adaptation. In this stage, the patient is more in control of their emotions and is much more engaged in their care. Understanding these emotional responses can help the family cope with the disease quicker, and possibly help the patient to live a longer and healthier life.
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