Huntington’s Disease: How Psychotherapy Helps
What is Huntington’s Disease?
Huntington’s disease is a genetic and rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system. It is characterized by unwanted movements of the face and extremities, behavioral and psychiatric issues and dementia. Though the disorder is rare, it still affects 30,000 Americans and, due to the genetic nature of the disease, 150,000 people are susceptible to developing Huntington’s disease. Huntington’s disease typically lasts 17-20 years, during which time the psychiatric manifestation of Huntington’s Disease could result in depressive symptoms, irritability, apathy and psychosis. “Approximately 50 percent of patients with Huntington’s disease present with psychiatric complaints alone, before disordered movements become clinically apparent” (Murburg, Price, & Jalali, 1988). Since the gene is dominant, there is an approximately equal chance between males and females of developing the disease if one of the individual’s parents is afflicted (Murburg, Price, & Jalali, 1988).
Art Therapy for Huntington’s Disease
Art therapy has been used as a treatment to mitigate the psychological impacts, as well as some of the physical impacts, or Huntington’s disease. In some individuals with a neurodegenerative disorder, “brain damage sometimes paradoxically improves artistic production” (Chatterjee, Hamilton, & Amorapanth, 2006). The process of creating art allows the members to work on their occupational movements through holding art supplies, controlling motor movements while painting, practicing hand/eye coordination and improving cognitive processing. Group members could even use larger or flexible art supplies to enhance the therapeutic value of their work (Dommreis, 2016). Additionally, “creating art projects provides a sense of focus that benefits cognitive abilities and the means to work toward a goal, in addition to being enjoyable” (Dommreis, 2016). Even though Huntington’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, it could still be combatted through the interventions of art therapy. In a 2006 case study, Chatterjee, Hamilton, & Amorapanth observed the role that art played in the lives of an individual with Parkinson's disease. While Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease have differences, both of the disorders are characterized by involuntary movements, therefore the use of art and art therapy could equally enrich their lives. In the article, the patient with Parkinson’s disease stated that painting and drawing gave him “a sense of bursting forth and tearing back walls.” Another individual who is an artist and physician with Parkinson’s Disease, believed her paintings were “less precise but more vibrant” and that there was potentially a connection between the disease and her enhanced imagination. (Chatterjee et al., 2006). Similarly, for those with Huntington's disease, individuals could benefit from incorporating art therapy into individual or group therapy.
Families of Those Struggling with Huntington’s Disease
As with many terminal illnesses, individuals with Huntington’s Disease have the anxiety of affecting their marriage and children, and may feel they have to sacrifice having children in order to prevent the spread of the disease. Those with Huntington’s Disease also have the added stigma of their involuntary movements causing unwanted attention in public. Family members “may not understand the neurological basis of the mood changes and may be embarrassed by the [member’s] lack of emotional and physical control,” or “become angry at the burdens of care imposed upon them” which would inevitably cause the member further distress (Murburg, Price, & Jalali, 1988). These issues are just a few that would make it beneficial for close family members of those with Huntington’s Disease to seek therapy.
If you’d like to talk about your experience with Huntington’s Disease with a therapist, you can book an appointment with any of our clinicians, you can check out our bios here or make an appointment below. We look forward to working with you!
References
Chatterjee, A., Hamilton, R. H., & Amorapanth, P. X. (2006). Art Produced By a Patient with
Parkinson’s Disease. Behavioural Neurology,17(2), 105-108.
Dommreis, C. (2016, March 11). Art Therapy Helps with Neurodegenerative Disorders.
Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved from https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com.
Murburg, M. M., Price, L. H., & Jalali, B. (1988). Huntington's Disease: Therapy strategies.
Family Systems Medicine, 6(3), 290-303.
