A Parkinson's journey is rarely straightforward and varies from patient to patient
Written by Mary Beth Skylis | June 4, 2026
Before my dad’s Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2013, my understanding of the disease was limited. I knew someone from church who had it, mainly because their tremors made it extremely visible. But I knew little about the disease’s nuances, such as who is most likely to be diagnosed with it, how people experience it differently, and how its treatment isn’t simple.
Based on my experience over the years, the following are five common misconceptions about Parkinson’s that I’ve encountered:
1. Tremors are always a part of having Parkinson’s: Because tremors are one of the most recognizable Parkinson’s symptoms, it’s easy to assume that one must experience them in order to have the disease. While my dad has always experienced this symptom, not everyone does.
2. Parkinson’s affects only older people: As Parkinson’s News Today notes, “most people with Parkinson’s first start to notice symptoms when they are age 60 or older. In about 10% to 20% of cases, however, Parkinson’s begins before a person turns 50. These cases are commonly referred to as early-onset or young-onset Parkinson’s.” My dad was diagnosed at about age 60, but the disease clearly can affect a wide range of ages.
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