Alan Alda Reveals Unusual Early Parkinson's Symptom: Throwing a Pillow at His Wife
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- Aktor legendaris Alan Alda mengungkap gejala awal Parkinson yang tidak lazim, yakni REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder, yang membuatnya bertindak seperti dalam mimpi.
- Alda menerima diagnosis Parkinson pada 2015 dan baru mengumumkannya ke publik pada 2018, tiga setengah tahun kemudian.
- Dengan pendekatan humor, Alda berbagi pengalaman hidup dengan penyakitnya dan menegaskan bahwa Parkinson bukanlah identitas dirinya.
Veteran actor Alan Alda, widely known for his role as Hawkeye Pierce in the series M*A*S*H, revealed that the first symptom of Parkinson's disease he experienced was not tremor or muscle rigidity, but REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder (RBD). This rare condition caused him to physically act out his dreams, including throwing a pillow at his wife, Arlene.
Alda, now 90 years old, first experienced the symptom at age 79, about three and a half years before he publicly announced his Parkinson's diagnosis in 2018. In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, he explained that at the time there were no common Parkinson's signs such as shaking or voice problems. "I experienced a symptom that was not widely known at the time: acting out dreams," he said. "I dreamed someone was attacking me, and I grabbed a sack of potatoes and threw it. What I was actually doing was throwing a pillow at Arlene."
RBD, according to the Cleveland Clinic, can be an early sign of a neurological condition. Most people with idiopathic RBD will eventually develop a neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson's, Lewy body dementia, or multiple system atrophy (MSA). This fact highlights the importance of awareness of the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's that are often missed.
Despite living with a progressive, incurable disease, Alda refuses to let the condition define him. "I don't let Parkinson's define me. It's not who I am. It's just a hobby," he said with a laugh. He admits he accepts reality and relies on humor as a coping mechanism. "The best way to deal with a problem is to find what's funny about the situation and laugh at it," he added.
"I really think reality is my friend. I don't want to avoid it. I can't hope for a better future. I have to accept it as it is." - Alan Alda
Alda's statements highlight the psychological aspect of chronic illness. In Indonesia, awareness of early Parkinson's symptoms and related sleep disorders remains low. Data from the Ministry of Health shows that the prevalence of Parkinson's in Indonesia is estimated at around 0.1% of the population, but many cases go undiagnosed because the early symptoms are atypical. Education campaigns about RBD and other non-motor symptoms can help with early detection and better management.
Alda's story also underscores the importance of family support. He and Arlene married in 1957 after meeting at a dinner party in Manhattan in 1956. They have three daughters—Eve, Elizabeth, and Beatrice—and eight grandchildren. Arlene's support has been an important part of Alda's journey in facing Parkinson's.
Going forward, experts continue to research the link between RBD and neurodegenerative diseases. Early detection of RBD can open opportunities for interventions that slow the progression of Parkinson's. For patients and families in Indonesia, Alda's story is a reminder that accepting a diagnosis does not mean giving up, and humor can be a powerful coping tool.
