SCOTS suffering from Parkinson's disease say they have experienced hostility and rudeness from members of the public because of their condition.
A survey of people with the disease found that half of sufferers have experience abuse at the hands of strangers because of their symptoms.
Those who took part in the survey, compiled today by Parkinson's UK on the launch of Parkinson's Awareness Week, said that they had been mistaken for being drunk, had been laughed at and stared at by members of the public.
Parkinson's affects around 10,000 people in Scotland and 127,000 across the UK.
Around half of Scottish sufferers said they had experienced depression because of their illness, while 55 per cent suffered from from anxiety.
Doctors and clinicians have now warned that insensitive public reactions could be wreaking untold damage on their mental health.
Professor David Burn, Parkinson's UK Clinical Director and Consultant Neurologist, said: "It's devastating to see the added burden thoughtless reactions from the public are having on people with Parkinson's.
"Patients I see in the clinic are already battling a myriad of neurological symptoms including anxiety, depression and insomnia.
"The last thing they need is to feel like a zoo exhibit when they step out of their front door."
He added: "It's a situation where simple kindness and old-fashioned manners can actually have a life-changing impact on people with Parkinson's.
"Understanding, patience and empathy can make the difference to someone with Parkinson's as to whether they feel imprisoned in their own home, or confident to go out in public."
John Lange, 54, from Stirling, was diagnosed with Parkinson's almost 11 years ago. He said: "Because of my Parkinson's I have to take big steps sometimes. I joke that it's my 'John Cleese walk' but I get really embarrassed about it when I'm out in public.
"People often stare and make comments which only exacerbates my anxiety. It really infuriates my wife too who has to go up to people to explain that I have Parkinson's. She's surprised that adults behave like this and can be so ignorant in this day and age."
The charity is urging people to pledge to be kinder to people suffering from Parkinson's with the launch of their 'up your friendly' campaign.
Katherine Crawford, Director for Scotland at Parkinson's UK, said: "We certainly don't expect people to be experts in knowing whether or not the person taking a little longer at the till, or looking unsteady on their feet is living with Parkinson's.
"But by signing up to our new campaign with a small pledge - to smile or be that bit more patient - you can have a real impact on the lives of people with Parkinson's."
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