Social and Emotional Wellbeing

The gradual deterioration of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems affected by Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD) and, therefore, the capacity of the person with the disease to engage in all aspects of their life – self care, relationships and community, the need to progressively depend on others for all aspects of their care – all inevitably impact on the social and emotional health of those with the disease. Evidence shows that MJD patients have higher rates of depression, anxiety and apathy. This medical protocol outlines these symptoms and their prevalence, assessment and treatment.