A 70-year-old man from China, who endured depression and insomnia for over three decades following a wrongful reprimand by his boss, has now been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
The man, identified only as Wang, recently sought help for his chronic insomnia at the Henan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Speaking to Henan Minsheng Channel, he recalled the incident that marked the beginning of his struggles. "It wasn’t my mistake, but the boss punished me anyway. I’ve been upset about it ever since," Wang said.
He described the toll it took on his mental and physical well-being: “Since then, I’ve had to rely on medication for sleep, my memory has worsened, and I’ve experienced dizziness and headaches.” Despite seeking treatment at six different hospitals over the years, he found little relief until turning to acupuncture therapy.
Dr. Niu Chaoyang, who treated Wang at the hospital, linked his Parkinson’s disease to decades of insomnia and depression. “Prolonged mental stress can significantly impact brain health, contributing to degenerative conditions like Parkinson’s,” Dr. Niu explained, South China Morning Post reported.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that causes tremors, slowed movements, and balance difficulties. It is triggered by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain and has no known cure. While genetics play a role, environmental factors, including stress, can exacerbate its onset.
In Wang’s case, acupuncture treatments targeted specific points on the brain. Over a 20-day period, his condition began to improve. He reported being able to sleep for a few hours each day without medication and noticing reduced symptoms.
Reports of job-related mental and physical health issues have become increasingly common. In one instance from February last year, a woman in southern China was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after a gruelling month of continuous overtime work left her with blurred vision and weakened legs.
Experts warn that chronic workplace stress can lead to severe conditions, including autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.
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