Anxiety disorders in Parkinson's disease

The prevalence of all forms of anxiety in Parkinson's disease is estimated at 38 to 75 per cent. Mixed anxiety and depression disorders are the most common. The causes of these disorders are unknown; they may be the result of decreased dopamine levels in the brain or occur after the use of medications prescribed for Parkinson's disease.

Anxiety disorders in brain injury and demyelinating diseases

Post-traumatic or demyelinating anxiety disorders are very rare. They usually take the form of simple phobia or generalised anxiety.

Depression-anxiety syndromes are usually observed in multiple sclerosis. Their prevalence is as high as 50%. Potential psychiatric complications also arise as a result of interferon and steroid use.

Psychotic disorders

Psychotic disorders most commonly occur in the form of delusions or hallucinations. They are mainly observed in Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and Epilepsy.

Psychotic symptoms in Parkinson's disease

The prevalence of psychotic symptoms in Parkinson's disease includes 40% of patients. A significant proportion are induced by the antiparkinsonian drugs used. The most common are delusional syndromes or psychosis with a schizophrenia-like pattern. The risk of psychosis is higher in older patients or those with additionally diagnosed dementia.

photo.ojoimages

Psychotic disorders in Huntington's disease

Psychotic episodes occur in 25% of patients, often in the initial phase when motor symptoms are not yet observed. This usually leads to a misdiagnosis of schizophrenia. Symptoms resolve spontaneously in the advanced stage of the disease, when features of dementia predominate.

Psychotic disorders in Epilepsy

Interictal psychosis affects 7-12% of patients. The clinical picture resembles that of schizophrenia and treatment is very difficult due to the occurrence of seizures after most antipsychotic drugs used.