Is there a silver lining to the diagnosis? I know this is strange to write given my recent blog post about a shorter life expectancy and my general mood at the moment which is less than 100% but this research paper reminded me of an important fact, something I should encourage myself to listen to – there is and has been a silver lining.
Please don’t misunderstand me, I do not recommend Parkinson’s – in fact I can attest especially at the moment as I find it hard to even type this – that it is ‘not wanted here’ but there have been important positive effects and this important piece of research by a group of people including @Larry Gifford who I follow on LinkedIn reminded me of some of the Silver Lining effects reported by others.
Looking at the questionnaire published in this research, I can say subjectively, I personally have seen real Silver Linings in the form of many of the topics listed below – primarily greater appreciation for life, personal inner strength and improved lifestyle (exercise, diet etc). I hope also I have been able to be somewhat of a positive influence on others and hope some personal relationships have improved or at least not worsened :-).
I would never have chosen PD but now that I have it (warts and all) I have to acknowledge that there are Silver Lining benefits that I have received.
Before PD, I was a person with very high blood pressure, completely stressed with no real work life balance, with a poor diet and absolutely no exercise routine. The thought I would be a person 4 years later who has done yoga and exercise almost every day since diagnosis is just unthinkable. That it took PD to snap the cycle is truly sad but it did force a major change.
All of us have tragedy and sadness in life – PD or no PD – and our ability to find acceptance is important and as the research paper states: “the degree of acceptance of the disease may be a key component of the ability to perceive a silver lining. An appropriate acceptance of chronic illnesses is associated with less negative emotions, better physical and social functioning, and even adherence to treatments”.
Like all research there are major caveats and as in any statistical study there are people who have seen no silver lining. Additionally by definition the survey is highly skewed by virtue that only people who are active on Social Media filled it out and they are probably more skewed to a positive outcome but my thoughts are written by me based on my experience.
Truth is, I am finding PD very hard at the moment and maintaining my positive outlook is crucial – this study is a little and important reminder that there are good things in all things and as someone with faith I need to dig deep and keep this in mind.
Please share this research on a potential silver lining as it is important and I believe can help people who read it.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358993896_The_silver_linings_of_Parkinson’s_disease
