Experiences and feelings of patients with Parkinson's

Abstract

Objective: To discover through the patients themselves the process of coexisting with Parkinson's disease.

Method: Qualitative study of phenomenological approach. The sample consisted of 6 participants. The data was obtained through a semi-structured individual interview. The conversations were audio recorded, with the consent of the participants, and then transcribed to make a thematic analysis. This study was approved by the relevant Research Ethics Committee.

Results: From the analysis of the data, 6 categories emerged: Acceptance; Coping; Family and friends; Society and Parkinson's; Institutions and research; Future. All the subjects remembered the day of the diagnosis, and agreed that this takes too long. From that moment they began to develop adaptation and coping mechanisms that were benefited or harmed by various aspects such as: medication, present symptoms, work or mood, making family support fundamental. They expressed that society does not currently understand people with Parkinson's disease.

Conclusions: Parkinson's disease is largely unknown to society, which makes it difficult for those affected to accept and cope with the disease. State of mind is essential to adapt to the disease, and integrate it into daily living, while the family is an important pillar in this process.

Keywords: Chronic disease; Enfermedad crónica; Enfermedad de Parkinson; Investigación cualitativa; Parkinson's disease; Qualitative research.