Feature articleDropping the Bomb: The Experience of Being Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease
Section snippets
Literature Review
As a result of the depletion of the neurochemical dopamine, physical difficulties with the inhibition of impulses, initiation and control of movements, and body posture eventually arise in the course of the illness. Subsequent to progressive physical and sometimes cognitive deterioration, persons with PD experience losses associated with dependency in activities of daily living, curtailment of social activities, changes in employment status, altered self-concept, and lower self-esteem.9, 10
Methodology
The study reported in this article was part of a larger project that explored the effect of PD on the lives of persons with the disease and on those of their care partners, if applicable. Because the emphasis of this study was on the experience of persons with PD, a qualitative descriptive design was used to obtain a comprehensive account of experiences in everyday terms.19 Qualitative descriptive research is based on naturalistic inquiry. The main tenet, therefore, is the study of something in
Theme: “Dropping the Bomb”
One major theme emerged from analysis of the narrative data: “Dropping the Bomb.” Dropping the Bomb signifies the complete havoc experienced by the participants upon receiving the diagnosis of PD. The totality of their circumstances compelled them to sort through the rubble, figuratively speaking, and reconstruct their lives in the context of PD. The poignant words of this participant upon hearing her diagnosis illustrates the major theme of Dropping the Bomb: “when I was diagnosed, I remember
Discussion
This was a study of the advice persons with PD would offer the newly diagnosed. Qualitative description was used to analyze the interview data provided by 11 men and women living with the effects of PD for 6 months to 15 years. Although each participant’s experience was unique, by and large the participants described the time of diagnosis as chaotic, as though a bomb had shattered their lives and tore apart their previous existence. They went on to offer advice on how people newly diagnosed
Acknowledgement
The author would like to thank Alexa Stuifbergen, PhD, RN, FAAN and Tracie Harrison, PhD, RN, FNP for their thoughtful review of this manuscript. This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (Grant No. T32NR07107).
LORRAINE J. PHILLIPS, MSN, RN, FNP, is a doctoral student and graduate research assistant at The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing. She also works as a family nurse practitioner with SunStar Geriatrics, Georgetown, TX
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LORRAINE J. PHILLIPS, MSN, RN, FNP, is a doctoral student and graduate research assistant at The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing. She also works as a family nurse practitioner with SunStar Geriatrics, Georgetown, TX