What is it like to have Parkinson's disease?

doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7466.0-a

BMJ 2004;329 (11 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7466.0-a

What is it like to have Parkinson's disease?

To receive a diagnosis of a chronic neurological illness isthe beginning of a long journey into the unknown—a journeythat may begin in hope, pass through periods of elation andfrustration, and finally end in acceptance and resignation,say Baker and Graham (p 611). People begin the journey withdifferent knowledge of and different ways of accepting Parkinson'sdisease. Every patient should see a doctor with a special interestin Parkinson's disease, receive an accurate diagnosis, havesupport, receive continuous care, and take part in managingthe illness.