Apathy is “a frequent and disabling” symptom of Parkinson’s disease. You’d assume, given how frequently apathy occurs and how disabling it is, that the main websites supporting people with Parkinson’s would have lots of information about apathy.
You’d be wrong.
Parkinson’s UK doesn’t mention apathy in their list of non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
The American Parkinson’s Disease Association also doesn’t mention apathy in their list of non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
In Parkinson’s Australia, apathy does get a mention in their list of symptoms, but it is regarded as a “mood disorder” which it certainly isn’t. It makes apathy sounds like an attitude, or a choice. Apathy is most definitely is not a choice – it is a direct result of denegeneration in the brain.
If you have Parkinson’s, and if you are finding that your motivation levels are slipping, then seriously think about transcranial red and near infrared lights. At the moment, this is the only form of treatment that has been shown to reduce apathy and increase motivation and zest for life.
You can make your own Cossack (there’s even a movie) or you can consider the Well Red Coronet.
*Dujardin et al 2014.
Red lights on the brain 