Anxiety disorders, particularly generalized anxiety, panic, and social
phobia, occur in up to 40% of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). This
rate is higher than in normal or other disease comparison populations.
Current evidence suggests that anxiety may not be a psychological reaction
to the illness but rather may be linked to specific neurobiologic processes
accompanying PD. Anxiety in PD often coexists with depression. The optimal
pharmacologic treatment for anxiety in patients with PD has not been
established, but available information about the use of anxiolytics in PD
is reviewed. Further study of the relationship between anxiety and PD may
provide an excellent opportunity to clarify the neurobiologic substrate of
anxiety itself.
Abstract Teaser