Medically reviewed by Nancy Hammond, M.D. — Written by Rachael Zimlich, RN, BSN — Updated on February 12, 2026
Key takeaways
- Stress, mood changes, and emotions such as anxiety and depression can worsen motor symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease.
- Medications, especially levodopa, can cause complications and fluctuating responses. You may need dosage adjustments or additional treatments. Certain other medications can also aggravate Parkinson’s symptoms.
- Imbalances in gut bacteria and certain foods, such as processed foods and red meats, may affect the central nervous system and worsen Parkinson’s progression, while Mediterranean-type diets may help.
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disease. There’s no cure, and in the years after diagnosis, many people with this condition may notice their symptoms fluctuate or worsen.
What worsens Parkinson’s disease?
If you have Parkinson’s disease, there are various factors that may worsen your symptoms. Common triggers include the following.
Chronic stress
Research has identified chronic stress as one of the possible initial triggers for the onset of Parkinson’s disease.
In one survey in 2021Trusted Source, people with Parkinson’s disease reported increases in the following symptoms when their stress levels were higher:
- tremors
- movement problems
- sleep disturbances
- depression
- balance and gait
- dyskinesias like muscle weakness or twitching
- memory problems
- speech and communication difficulties
The study authors noted that tremors seemed to be the symptom most affected by stress.
Emotions
Stress, emotional turmoil, and other mood changes can have an effect on symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease. Anxiety and depression are common emotional symptoms that often develop in those with the condition.
Research has found that motor symptoms were worse in people with Parkinson’s who were in a depressed, anxious, or otherwise emotional state.
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