PD and need for Control

Hello,

I have sometimes read that PD happens more to people who have a strong "need for control".  This clearly is my case, but I wonder if it is really true for others.  So, just out of curiosity, please look at the questions below and let us know how you score on this "need for control" scale.  I personally scored 79.

---

Instructions:  Please read each statement carefully and respond to it by expressing the extent to which you believe the statement applies to you.  For all items, a response from 1 to 7 is required.  Use the number that best reflects your belief when the scale is defined as follows and add up all the points for the 15 questions.  Note that 15 is the lowest total possible score and 105 is the highest total possible score:

1 = The statement does not apply to me at all
2 = The statement usually does not apply to me
3 = Most often, the statement does not apply
4 = I am unsure about whether or not the statement applies to me,
      or it applies to me about half the time
5 = The statement applies more often than not
6 = The statement usually applies to me
7 = The statement always applies to me

Questions:


1.   I prefer a job where I have a lot of control over what I do and when I do it.                                                    
              1     2     3     4     5     6     7

2.  I try to avoid situations where someone else  tells me what to do.                                                    

               1     2     3     4     5     6     7

3.  I would prefer to be a leader than a follower.                                                 
               1     2     3     4     5     6     7

4.  I enjoy being able to influence the actions of others.                                                
               1     2     3     4     5     6     7

5.  I usually know what is best for me.                                                  

               1     2     3     4     5     6     7

6.  I enjoy making my own decisions.                                                   
               1     2     3     4     5     6     7

7.  I enjoy having control over my own destiny.                                                 
               1     2     3     4     5     6     7

8.  I would rather take over the leadership role when I’m involved in a group project.

               1     2     3     4     5     6     7

9.  I consider myself to be generally more capable of handling situations than others are.                                                 
               1     2     3     4     5     6     7

10.  I’d rather run my own business and make my own mistakes than listen to someone else’s orders.                                                
               1     2     3     4     5     6     7

11.  I like to get a good idea of what a job is all about before I begin.                                                     
               1     2     3     4     5     6     7

12.  When I see a problem, I prefer to do something about it rather than sit by and let it continue.                                                 
               1     2     3     4     5     6     7

13.  When it comes to orders, I would rather give them than receive them.                                                    
               1     2     3     4     5     6     7

14.  When driving, I try to avoid putting myself in a situation where I could be hurt by another person’s mistake.                                                     

               1     2     3     4     5     6     7

15.  I prefer to avoid situations where someone else has to tell me what it is I should be doing.                                                 
               1     2     3     4     5     6     7

-------

Cheers,

lfs

Hi Ifs 

 well I scored 96 on your test but I don't think I have a need to control, when I was working I ran a busy commercial workshop were we repaired everything from lawn mowers to 44 ton trucks and built concrete batching plants, 

  When I had my memory assessment and dx with LBD I was described as a intellectual high achiever , LBD is the same as pd just manifest in a differant way.

 Sorry my brain is starting to frazzle so   Live well.  Cc

Hello

I scored 54

I think someone else should answer the questions about me, even then I don't think it would mean much.

I scored 90.

All questions were a 5, 6 or 7. The difference between a 5 and a 6 was problematic.

If you want to take this further, you will need controls and personal information, such as: I was diagnosed with PD at 49. I'm now 11 years post-diagnosis.

John

Hi Cheshire Cat, Mosie, and John,

Just wanted to say thanks for taking the trouble to go through the questionnaire and sharing it.  I guess that 4 respondents doesn't really make it for a sample size that has any statistical significance, so I'm not going to try to read too much into it (and of course we'd also need the things John pointed out).

One more specific comment/question to Cheshire Cat:  I was surprised when you said you don't think you have a need to control.  Do you think you'd score much lower if you had done the questionnaire thinking how you are outside your old job?  I'm curious.

 Warm regards to all,

lfs

 

 

Hi ifs

  I don't think the results would change outside of a work environment as Iv always been someone who copes,

I think it's more down to a pragmatic attitude rather than a need for control , my response to a problem has always been no worrys,  my attitude is there's nothing I can't do only things Iv not tried so tend to end up leading projects that others shy away from .

  My brain is starting to frazzle so time to go

  live well. Cc

Hi Cheshire Cat,

It's funny you say that. I could probably use the same words to describe myself... and I never thought of myself as "needing control".  But I did get a few comments from people around me - including a 2 or 3 different doctors saying stuff like "you're not like my average other patients" and that they tended to see that more often in parkinson.  Maybe it's not "need for control", but then what is it?

A related thought:  dopamine is supposed to keep you upbeat; we lack dopamine, so in theory we should be the most depressed people around. Are you depressed often? (I'm not).  I somehow think that this "need for control" (or whatever it is) also involves self-confidence (I'm super self-confident too) and makes us more resistant to depression ... but no idea if this is just me or more frequent in PD overall.

Cheers,

Lfs

 

 

 

 

Hi Ifs

no I don't suffer with depression I may feel a bit low from time to time but no more than would be considered normal, I know what depression looks like as my mother suffered with it and so dose my wife,

As for confidence I have it in spades. Lol. And a strong sense of self that even pd and LBD have not been able to dent, Iv always been very articulate and even though I now stutter badly and have cognitive recall problems I still put my point over without holding back  lol,

My nuro  pd nurse and memory specialist all say they are amazed at what I'm able to achieve and the way I attack life .

 Brain is shutting down now so must go .

   Live well. Cc

Hi Cc,

Very interesting!  I wonder if we're just isolated cases of if pwp are generally like us...

Cheers and keep holding on there!

lfs

 

Hi Ifs 

     Don't know if we're unusual I think most PWP have things like a strong work ethic and a single mindedness in common maybe we wear our minds out quicker lol.

Where do you live ? I'm from Wincanton in Somerset .

   Live well. Cc