Making the Connection Between Brain and Behavior: Coping with Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive disease that affects as many as one million people in the United States alone. Although many patients and families are aware of the physical challenges that accompany Parkinson's disease, few are prepared to deal with the common behavioral issues that impact their quality of life.Behavior problems in PD are not always catastrophic, but they are common. It is estimated that 65-90 per cent of PD patients experience some level of depression, anxiety, dementia, hallucinations, paranoid delusions, sleep disorders, and other behavioral disorders that affect everyone involved. Written in easy-to-read language, "Making the Connection Between Brain and Behavior" is the only book that focuses entirely on an area that many doctors overlook, an area that often causes the most problems and can be the most treatable. The self-contained chapters will help readers understand, address, and cope with common behavioral issues, as well as provide guidance on ways to communicate with the healthcare team.Special features include: a focus on a wide variety of behavioral conditions from sleep disorders to dementia; special chapters on PD medication and the side effects that can lead to behavioral problems; easy to read self-contained chapters so patients can read only the desired sections; vignettes to illustrate the problems under discussion; and, written in layman terms to help readers understand and cope with behavioral issues. "Making the Connection Between Brain and Behavior: Coping with Parkinson's Disease" is a wonderful resource for patients, caregivers, family members, wanting to improve their quality of life, and healthcare professionals looking for a tool to help their patients open up about the challenges they are facing.