Mental Health and Parkinson's: Navigating Identity, Loss, and Motivation (2025)

The webinar, led by Registered Psychotherapist Sara Ahmadian, and featuring person with Parkinson's, David Walker, explored how Parkinson’s disease affected identity, motivation, and mental health for both those diagnosed and their loved ones. 

Sara emphasised that changes in independence, roles, and relationships often led to grief, while motivation frequently declined due to apathy, fatigue, and caregiver burnout. She highlighted acceptance, values-based living, and self-compassion as key resilience tools, using metaphors such as “playing the hand you’re dealt” and “Passengers on the Bus” to illustrate adaptive responses. 

The webinar encouraged rebuilding life around core values, adopting flexible approaches to change, and engaging in meaningful activities even when modified. David shared how he maintained purpose through creativity, physical activity, and strong social routines, demonstrating that values could guide fulfilling living despite symptoms. 

Practical tools, including the Bullseye Exercise and ACT-based resources, were offered to help participants align actions with what mattered most. Overall, the webinar underscored that while Parkinson’s brought profound challenges, individuals could still cultivate connection, meaning, and “sweetness” in life.

**Disclaimer: These sessions are designed to provide general education and are not intended for individual advice and/or clinical care. The information conveyed in this recording was accurate at the time of presentation.**