Depression occurs in more than 50% of people with PD and may precede
the physical symptoms of PD. There's debate as to whether depression
is a reaction to or is part of PD.

Depressed people, like anxious people, can have physical symptoms.
Although depression and anxiety exist together, and one may "feed"
the other, the symptoms of depression can be different from anxiety.

If you have PD how do you know if you're depressed? Sometimes trying
to decide if you're depressed, or if you have PD, or both, is
difficult for you, your family, and your doctor. Thus a PD person who
has a sad, poker face, a soft, weepy voice, and a stooped posture
(bent as though bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders) may
appear depressed — when he's not. Conversely, a depressed person who
moves slowly, speaks softly, and walks stooped over may appear to
have PD when he does not. The Depression Questionnaire modeled on the
Hamilton Depression Scale may show if you're depressed. The
Questionnaire is a teaching aide, it's statistical validity hasn't
been established. Although we can't say with certainty we believe
scores of 50 or greater may mean you're depressed. Score 4 points for
each "Yes" answer.

The Depression Questionnaire



1. I often feel sad. Yes No

2. I often feel discouraged. Yes No

3. I often feel blue. Yes No

4. I feel that I am a failure. Yes No

5. I often feel upset. Yes No

6. I often feel bored. Yes No

7. I often feel guilty. Yes No

8. I often feel I am being punished. Yes No

9. I often feel disappointed in myself. Yes No

10. I often hate myself. Yes No

11. I blame myself for bad things that happened. Yes No

12. I cry a lot. Yes No

13. I often feel irritable. Yes No

14. I don't care about what is happening around me. Yes No

15. I don't care about other people. Yes No

16. I can't make decisions. Yes No

17. I often feel unattractive. Yes No

18. I can't work. Yes No

19. I can't fall asleep. Yes No

20. I can't stay awake. Yes No

21. I often feel tired. Yes No

22. I have no appetite. Yes No

23. I don't care about sex. Yes No

24. I worry about everything. Yes No

25.
I feel ashamed. Yes No