Abstract
ObjectiveParkinson's Disease Caregivers (PDC) play an important role, especially in the medium and advanced phase of the disease for patients’ daily life activities, treatment, and follow‐up. The aim of this study is to attract attention to the factors which place PDC at risk of psychological problems and to give consideration to these factors.Materials and MethodsFirst of all, the 80 participants, who were PDC, filled in the demographic information form. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was applied in order to determine the psychological status of the PDC.ResultsThe average age of PDC in the study was found as 47.94. While 11 (13.8%) of the PDC had undergone psychiatric treatment in the past, four of them (5%) were currently receiving treatment. Twenty‐eight (35%) of those who provide care have experience in patient care, whereas 52 (65%) of them have no prior experience in caring for patients. Thirty‐six (45%) of the PDC reported that they had difficulties, which were mostly psychological. According to the HADS which was applied, anxiety was seen in 26 of those who provide care (32.5%), while depression was seen in 41 (51.3%).ConclusionThis study is the first to provide data on the psychological status of PDC in our country. It is important that PDC's psychological problems are reduced by psychotherapy or, if necessary, by treatment. This situation has a direct negative effect on the patient's daily life activities.
Highlights
Those who provide care are a vital part of the patient’s life and they serve a useful role in the process of medical treatment
It was stated that the determination of factors which cause depression in Parkinson’s Disease Caregivers (PDC) will result in better care (Fernandez, Tabamo, David, & Friedman, 2001)
To the best of our knowledge, we found that no research related to anxiety and depression in PDC has been conducted after the literature review which we performed on the subject
Summary
Those who provide care are a vital part of the patient’s life and they serve a useful role in the process of medical treatment. The patient’s response to drugs and treatment is obtained from carers as direct observers and reliable information on the patient’s condition is provided by them. It was stated that the determination of factors which cause depression in Parkinson’s Disease Caregivers (PDC) will result in better care (Fernandez, Tabamo, David, & Friedman, 2001). There are few publications in the literature on the problems related to the care of PDC As understood from these studies, PD affects both the patient and carer. The anxiety and depression levels of carers of patients with diseases such as cancer, paralytic conditions or paralysis, and dementia in our country were reviewed. This study is the first to provide data on the psychological status of PDC in our country Results on this topic were presented after PDC anxiety and depression levels and related factors were determined. The aim of this study was to attract attention to the factors which place PDC at risk of psychological problems and to give consideration to these factors
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
