One of the things that I have learned from my musical activities is that if you think you can do something, you generally can. “Natural” talent can only take you so far. Hard work and dedicated practice obviously makes a real difference as well. Unfortunately, anxiety can impact the quality of a musician’s performance. In my own experience, if I just “think” a note is too high, then it is. Over time, I have learned several tricks to convince myself that the notes are in a comfortable range.
Athletes also can have problems with performance anxiety. This is particularly noticeable in football placekickers who miss an easy “chip shot” because they think they cannot make the kick. This is why the opposing team typically “ices” the kicker by calling a timeout just as he is about to prepare for his kick. I am a fan of UT basketball (both men and women), and I continue to be amazed how some players can hit their free-throws consistently while others have a lot of misses. Does the basketball player suffer from performance anxiety too? I think that sometimes, the answer is “yes.”
People with Parkinson’s may also suffer from performance anxiety. Balance issues, an inadequate amount of dopamine, and fear of falling can all effect the PWP’s mobility. Recently, my PWP had a stressful day for several reasons. I had been gone for a while, the grandchildren came to play and their natural youthful exuberance and playfulness distracted him. It was evening, so he was also physically tired. However, he had been moving fairly well all day. Then, it happened. We realized that he had missed his evening medications, and suddenly, his stress and anxiety about being able to move fluidly caused him to “freeze.” He said “I can’t” and it was a self-fulfilling prophecy. We used a common strategy which is to count rhythmically: “1, 2, 3, 4” to get him moving again. And, our grandson said: “You can do it, Gramps!” Then, once the medications took effect, and he had convinced himself that he could, he was able to start walking again and was fine.
Some of the strategies that musicians and athletes use can be most helpful for PWPs as well. A few ideas follow.
- Be prepared: practice, practice, practice. For walking, this means “keep moving!” The more George moves, the better he can move. The adage “use it or lose it” certainly applies here.
- Limit caffeine and sugar intake. Sensible meals that are not too high in protein (which limits the absorption of carbodopa-levodopa) can ensure adequate energy for movement. Higher protein meals are best in the evening. Low-fat meals including complex carbohydrates are all good choices.
- Don’t focus on what could go wrong. Instead focus on the positive. Visualize your success.
- Avoid thoughts that produce self-doubt.
- Practice controlled breathing, meditation, biofeedback, and other strategies to help you relax and redirect your thoughts when they turn negative. It is best to practice some type of relaxation technique every day, so that the skill is there for you when you need it.
- Take a walk, do leg lifts in a chair, do heel raises, shake out your muscles, or do whatever feels right to ease your anxious feelings before starting to move.
- Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep, all help.
Is there something you want or need to accomplish, but you think you cannot? I’m reminded of today’s Old Testament lesson from the Prophet Jeremiah. The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah was skeptical. He insisted that he did not know how to speak, as he was just a boy. However, God told him to not be afraid, and He would place the words in Jeremiah’s mouth. While Jeremiah said “I can’t!” God said “You can!”
Like Jeremiah, People with Parkinson’s can tell themselves “I can’t.” This can also be true for caregivers. Some days (especially if I’m sleep deprived or hungry), I think “I can’t!” It is vitally important for all of us to tell ourselves and our loved ones that “Together, we can!”
Perpetual Motion 