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Conclusions Greg Pontone, M.D., M.H.S. Director of Parkinson’s Disease Neuropsychiatry Clinic Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition which causes a combination of both motor and nonmotor dysfunction. There is an increased prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Parkinson’s disease due to biological, psychological, and social changes.

Depression in Parkinson’s is associated with increased physical disability and a loss of quality of life. It should be treated aggressively with psychotherapy and antidepressants. Anxiety disorders occur in at least one-third of patients with Parkinson’s. They can occur episodically, manifesting during medication “off” periods.

Psychosis is a leading cause of hospitalization and nursing home placement in Parkinson’s and requires treatment with a select group of antipsychotics. Impulse control disorders occur in up to 15% of patients treated with dopamine agonists and can have devastating consequences if unrecognized.