Symptom 7. Micrographia: Small, Cramped Handwriting
From the earliest cave paintings to modern-day calligraphy, handwriting has been a unique human skill. Parkinson’s disease, however, can significantly impact it. ‘Micrographia,’ or small, cramped handwriting, is a distinctive symptom that often signals the onset of the disease.
Micrographia starts subtly, with handwriting becoming gradually smaller and more cramped. The letters may appear crowded, with less space between words. While initially, it might seem like a trivial concern, as the disease progresses, even the patient might struggle to decipher their own handwriting.
This symptom doesn’t emerge in isolation. It’s a manifestation of the larger motor issues at play, including bradykinesia and muscle rigidity. The fine motor skills required for writing become increasingly compromised, leading to difficulty in initiating and controlling the movement of writing.
Interestingly, a phenomenon known as ‘microphasia’ accompanies micrographia. This refers to the soft, low-volume speech that becomes increasingly common as Parkinson’s progresses. It’s as if the disease not only restricts the physical space that one’s handwriting occupies but also the acoustic space of their voice.
While there’s no complete cure for micrographia, certain strategies can help manage it. Writing in larger letters, using thicker pens, and practicing handwriting exercises are a few techniques often recommended. (7)
