Your Diagnosis, Your Decision: Navigating Stigma and Disclosure in the Workplace

 A Parkinson’s disease (PD) diagnosis can bring many changes to several aspects of your life, including work. Disclosing that you have been diagnosed with PD in a professional setting can mean accepting that your life has permanently changed and can mark the start of a new chapter characterized by greater openness. On the other hand, it may lead to anxieties about being treated differently by coworkers, managers, or people you manage. Research suggests that people who disclose their Parkinson’s diagnosis often report higher quality of life and greater social support than those who conceal it, although every person's circumstances are different.  

Disclosing a PD diagnosis at work can create space in the workday for managing the day-to-day aspects of the disease, as Parkinson’s requires keeping on top of routines like medication schedules and specific meal timings. Additionally, being open about PD can give you the chance to correct any misconceptions your colleagues may have. While correcting such misconceptions is not your duty, doing so may help create a more understanding and supportive work environment.

If someone does not feel comfortable disclosing their PD diagnosis, they will likely conceal it. A study conducted in 2025 measured 150 respondents with Parkinson’s disease, 34 of whom concealed their diagnosis in the workplace. The study found that respondents who concealed experienced lower health-related quality of life than those who disclosed, as well as more stigma and lower social support (Naamneh-Abuelhija et al., 2025).  

The study also measured respondents’ knowledge of Parkinson’s disease and self-management strategies and found that concealers exhibited lower knowledge of both topics. Notably, because the severity of PD symptoms did not vary significantly between the groups, disease progression alone is unlikely to explain these differences. The researchers note that to live well with a chronic disease like Parkinson’s, an understanding of the symptoms and treatment options is imperative. Because the concealment group lacked this knowledge, it is suggested that they do not have the tools to manage PD in the long run as effectively as the disclosers (Naamneh-Abuelhija et al., 2025). 

Stigma

Stigma refers to negative beliefs, stereotypes, and discriminatory attitudes towards someone or something. In Parkinson’s disease, stigma may arise due to visible motor symptoms and communication difficulties. Fear of stigma can be a major factor influencing decisions about whether to disclose a diagnosis in the workplace. A study conducted in 2017 looked to objectively understand stigma, which is usually a highly subjective experience. Researchers studied previously published studies on experienced stigma and found that stigma coming from external sources affects people with PD so deeply that it has been linked to poorer disease management, including reduced treatment adherence and increased depressive symptoms. Because of this, the researchers argued that stigma should be recognized as a significant non-motor aspect of living with Parkinson’s because of its substantial impact on wellbeing (Maffoni et al., 2017).

PD-related stigma does not always come from external sources. Internalized stigma, also known as self-stigma, may occur if the person with Parkinson’s anticipates unfair treatment and internalizes the stigma they believe they are going to receive. This can lead to concealing a diagnosis at work (Hanff et al, 2022).  

Self-stigma can also come from preparing for common misattributions of PD, like being labeled as intoxicated, depressed, or socially deviant. The National Center for Excellence in Research on Parkinson’s Disease (NCER-PD) found that self-stigma often materializes away from the comforts of home and family and is especially present in the workplace, as well as unfamiliar places (Hanff et al, 2022). 

Strategies for Reducing Stigma

Interference from stigma does not stop at PD symptoms. Stigma can cause social withdrawal, and in extreme cases, social isolation. A study conducted in 2022 attempted to understand the causes for social withdrawal in individuals with PD and found that both internalized and external stigma increased social withdrawal. Specifically, they found that symptoms affecting mobility, like gait disturbance, were the most likely to cause negative emotions like depression, leading to higher cases of social withdrawal (Ahn et al, 2022). However, social activity programs helped improve social participation, directly treating the problem of social withdrawal. Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) offers free exercises classes and activities for the Parkinson’s community. If you are feeling socially withdrawn, consider looking into what we offer at www.parkinson.bc.ca/events.  

Social activity programs may help reduce social withdrawal and increase social participation, regardless of whether withdrawal is driven by internalized or external stigma. However, increasing social participation alone may not address the emotional effects of self-stigma. Research also suggests that self-compassion can help protect against these effects, although it may not be as effective in buffering the effects of external stigma. A 2022 study found that self-compassion was associated with lower distress among people who experienced self-stigma (Eccles et al., 2022). Practicing self-compassion can be an important part of coping. Remember to give yourself grace. 

Intersections of PD with Other Marginalized Identities

Parkinson’s disease often co-occurs with other health conditions, which can be associated with perceived stigma from others, especially in the workplace. A study of people with Parkinson’s conducted in 2022 found that 79% of its respondents had other health conditions, like depression and anxiety, which increased the perceived stigma directed toward them. Importantly, respondents who identified with marginalized groups reported that they experienced more stigma towards their PD symptoms (Islam et al, 2022).  

Not disclosing a PD diagnosis in environments like the workplace may increase the likelihood that visible symptoms are misinterpreted. It can also add to potential judgements made about additional health conditions or identity markers like race, gender, or sexuality. Stigma towards PD, perceived or not, does not exist in a vacuum, and, in fact, intersects with health conditions and identities alike. The extra stigma experienced by individuals from marginalized groups with PD may make it more difficult to disclose their diagnosis. A study conducted in 2025 surveyed people with Parkinson’s who had disclosed their diagnosis in places like the workplace versus those who had concealed their PD diagnosis. The survey found that people who were women, participants identifying as Muslim, and those without a higher education concealed their diagnosis at a higher rate compared to other respondents (Abuelhija et al, 2025). Social pressures towards people belonging to groups that experience stereotyping exist independent of any visible health conditions, so concealing a diagnosis like PD in environments like the workplace may feel like the only option.  

However, it is important to note that while there may be benefits of disclosing, every individual and circumstance is unique. The decision to disclose a Parkinson’s diagnosis is deeply personal and should be made based on an individual’s own needs, priorities, and sense of safety. There is no universally “right” choice. Ultimately, people living with Parkinson’s are the best judges of what is appropriate for their situation, and choosing not to disclose should not be viewed as a failure to advocate for oneself, but rather as a valid decision made within the realities of one’s social and professional environment. 

Workplace Accommodations and Your Legal Rights

Some individuals with Parkinson’s may benefit from workplace accommodations, which involve making adjustments to workplace practices, policies, or requirements to reduce barriers related to a disability or health condition. To access accommodations, individuals typically need to inform their employer of their functional limitations and may be asked to provide supporting documentation from a healthcare professional. While the employer may ask questions about job duties and function, they do not have the right to ask about your specific diagnosis (Disability Alliance BC, 2016).  

There may be representatives employed at your workplace that can help you work through accommodation and disclosure processes. If your employer has an equity advisor, consider speaking with that person. Similarly, if you are represented by a union, you may benefit from discussing your situation with a union representative.

The most important thing to remember about disclosing your diagnosis is that you have full control over it. You control when you disclose, how much you disclose, and who you disclose to.

Also, there are legal frameworks in place to protect you from discrimination. Parkinson Society British Columbia has partnered with the law firm Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP to provide members of the Society access to pro bono legal advice in appropriate cases. If you have any concerns about disclosure of your diagnosis, please contact us at info@parkinson.bc.ca

Tips for Disclosing a PD Diagnosis at Work

If you decide to disclose your Parkinson’s disease diagnosis to a current or prospective employer, it can help to approach the conversation with a clear plan. In general, it is useful to focus on your skills, experience, and ability to perform the essential duties of the role, rather than framing Parkinson’s as a limitation. Being prepared can help you communicate confidently and keep the discussion focused and constructive.

You may also want to anticipate questions or concerns an employer might have and be ready to provide practical information, resources, and strategies that address them. It can be helpful to explain, in your own words, why you have chosen to disclose and to identify any barriers you experience as a result of Parkinson’s, along with how these may affect your work. Where possible, you can also outline specific workplace accommodations that would support you, and, if applicable, provide examples of successful adjustments from previous roles.

Living with Parkinson’s disease may require adjustments, but it does not diminish a person’s value, expertise, or capacity to contribute. By carefully considering whether to disclose in the workplace, people with PD can make informed choices that support their ability to participate in work in a way that meets them where they are. 

Sources

Eccles, F. J. R., Sowter, N., Spokes, T., Zarotti, N., & Simpson, J. (2023). Stigma, self- compassion, and psychological distress among people with Parkinson’s. Disability and Rehabilitation, 45(3), 425–433. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2022.2037743 

Disability Alliance BC (2016). Disclosing Your Disability: A Legal Guide for People with Disabilities in BC. https://disabilityalliancebc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DisclosureGuide.pdf 

Hanff, A.-M., Leist, A. K., Fritz, J. V., Pauly, C., Krüger, R., Halek, M., & NCER-PD Consortium. (2022). Determinants of self-stigma in people with parkinson’s disease: A mixed methods scoping review. Journal of Parkinson’s disease. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8925108/

Islam, S. S., Neargarder, S., Kinger, S. B., Fox-Fuller, J. T., Salazar, R. D., & Cronin-Golomb, A. (2022). Perceived stigma and quality of life in Parkinson's disease with additional health conditions. General psychiatry, 35(3), e100653. https://doi.org/10.1136/gpsych-2021-100653 

Maffoni, M., Giardini, A., Pierobon, A., Ferrazzoli, D., & Frazzitta, G. (2017). Stigma Experienced by Parkinson's Disease Patients: A Descriptive Review of Qualitative Studies. Parkinson's disease, 2017, 7203259. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/7203259

Naamneh-Abuelhija, B., Kafri, M., Kestenbaum, M. et al (2025). Concealment of Parkinsons disease prevalence and impact on health and quality of life. Sci Rep 15, 7551. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91579-8 

Soojung Ahn, Kristen Springer, Jessie S. Gibson (2022). Social withdrawal in Parkinson's disease: A scoping review. Geriatric Nursing, 48, 258-268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.10.010

This content was published in the Fall 2026 edition of our quarterly magazine, Viewpoints. The content was accurate as of this publication date.