7 Ways to Understanding Your Friend with YOPD
7 Ways to Support a Friend with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease
Navigating life with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD) profoundly affects not only those diagnosed but also their circle of friends and family. This path demands adjustments, understanding, and crucially, an abundance of compassion. Here are seven key ways you can genuinely support your friend through their journey with YOPD, incorporating a vital discussion on impulse control disorders, a side effect often overlooked:
1. Embrace the Power of Presence
During overwhelming times, your friend may need to retreat and conserve their energy. This retreat is not a sign of them being distant but a necessary coping mechanism. Your presence, even when silent, is a strong pillar of support. Let them know you're there, without expectations for interaction, providing a comforting reassurance through tough times.
2. Respect Privacy and Sharing Preferences
Your friend's approach to sharing their YOPD diagnosis is deeply personal. Whether they choose to share publicly or keep it within a close circle, it's important to respect their decision and the privacy it entails. Early in their diagnosis, they might be navigating how it impacts their career and personal life, making discretion paramount. Understand that protecting their career and privacy may limit what they can share and with whom. Your role is to support their choices and ensure a safe space for them to be open to the degree they feel comfortable.
3. Educate Yourself About YOPD
Invest time in learning about YOPD, its symptoms, treatments, and the unique challenges it presents. Knowledge equips you to offer meaningful support, understand the fluctuations in their health, and communicate more effectively about their needs and experiences.
Here are some great resources that I found beneficial:
Michael J Fox Foundation, Parkinson’s Foundation, PD Avengers, Parkinson’s Europe, Parkinson Canada,
4. Acknowledge the Wide Range of Symptoms
YOPD manifests in both physical challenges, such as tremors and rigidity, and emotional and cognitive impacts, like mood disorders and memory issues. Recognizing this spectrum of symptoms enables you to provide nuanced support.
It’s Important to remember that everyone experiences different symptoms with Parkinson’s, and variations of symptoms can flare up at different times of the day, month, year.
5. Understand Treatment Complexities
YOPD treatment is multifaceted, involving medications that can have varying effects and side effects. Familiarizing yourself with these treatments allows you to better understand your friend's daily experiences and why certain days may be harder than others.
6. Be Mindful of Impulse Control Disorders
A crucial aspect of supporting a friend with YOPD is understanding and being vigilant about the side effects of medications, particularly impulse control disorders (ICDs). These disorders can lead to behaviors such as compulsive gambling, shopping, eating, or hypersexuality. It's important to approach these topics with sensitivity and without judgment, offering support and understanding. Being aware of these potential side effects allows you to better support your friend, recognizing when behaviors may be medication-induced and helping them seek and advocate for appropriate care and adjustments to their treatment plan.
7. Foster Flexibility and Encourage Independence
Being adaptable to your friend's varying abilities and encouraging their independence are crucial. Support their efforts to maintain autonomy, stepping in to assist when needed, and showing that your support bolsters their independence rather than diminishes it.
Supporting a friend with YOPD is about walking alongside them with empathy, patience, and respect for their journey. It involves fostering growth, understanding, and finding joy amidst challenges. Your support can brighten the path ahead, making the journey a shared one filled with love and mutual respect. Let's navigate this path together, enriching our lives through the bonds we strengthen along the way.
And don’t forget, for more insights and resources on living with Parkinson's Disease, check out my previous post on YOPD Decoded. I also I invite you to explore the rest of this blog. Your friendship and support can light up the path ahead, making the journey a shared one, filled with understanding and compassion.
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on this website (or through any medium connected to it) is for providing information and knowledge from the perspective of a women living with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease. It’s purpose is for education only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or accessed through this website. The author and publisher are not healthcare practitioners or providers, and expressly disclaim any responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information provided.
