PSP - distraction - inability to focus - PSP Association

PSP Association

9,627 members11,553 posts

PSP - distraction - inability to focus

journeyofjoy profile image
12 Replies

Whenever it's time to get my husband up or get him to do anything, I have to turn off the TV. If there is any sound or anything moving, he focuses his attention on that. Even when I ask him to pay attention to what we're doing, it's almost impossible for him. It reminds me that quite a while back, if we were out at a restaurant and someone at another table was talking, he would focus his attention on them and their conversation (something he never did in his regular life). I would have to gently tell him not to look at them. I am thinking that this must be another part of this disease...to be distracted and be unable to break away from that distraction.

Thoughts out there?

Written by
journeyofjoy profile image
journeyofjoy
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
12 Replies
Yvonneandgeorge profile image
Yvonneandgeorge

My husband went through that at the beginning of his journey with this horrible illness xxxx

Toddet profile image
Toddet

Dear journey of joy

Absolutely relate to your post. It can just be rubbish on the tv and my husband will stop and stare! We now eat at the table as much as possible too as eating from a tray in front of the tv takes forever!

Take care.

Helen x

Ye,s this is a permanent feature of Nick's PSP. And like you, I turn on / off distractions. It's the only way.

NannaB profile image
NannaB

Sounds very familiar. My husband lost the ability to concentrate if other things were going on around him and like others have said, I would try to get rid of other distractions. Another thing C did was act on the last thing he heard so if I said ‘Don’t get up’ he would hear the get up and do that. I had to think what I said before saying it to make sure the instruction was understandable to him. On one occasion I asked him to slow down while he was walking to the toilet and he pulled away from me and sat down, almost falling into the chair. He said he heard the word down and thought I wanted him to sit. Those living with PSP certainly keep us on our toes don’t they?

XxxX

kenh1 profile image
kenh1

My wife would stare at the ceiling or wall. I just used to make a joke of it. "Whose up there? And then rattle off names of friends and others who had gone before.

She had lost her ability to speak but often it would bring forth a smile. One of my coping strategies was to turn angst into humour. I'm coming to the end of our journey. Funeral today. Reading your post reminded me of the laughs I had which could so easily have been tears. God bless you on your journey. Ken.

HilsandR profile image
HilsandR in reply tokenh1

Do hope that you had lots of support today, Ken, and that the support is there for you in the weeks and months ahead. Humour was one of my best strategies in dealing with the challenges of PSP and nice to know that served you well too, and went some way in keeping Dorreen amused. Going forward will not be easy but it is doable, keep smiling.

Best wishes,

Hils

X

kenh1 profile image
kenh1 in reply toHilsandR

Thank you Hils for your thoughts. Yesterday was precious. Family at the Crematorium then to a full church and celebration of her life. Organist slotted into one of his pieces 'Bring me sunshine'. 😁 From the donations we have received so far. There is £500 to PSPA and £500 to the local hospice.

HilsandR profile image
HilsandR in reply tokenh1

Good to hear Ken that the day went just as you would have hoped and that you are able to help two causes with such generous donations. Bring me Sunshine, well what can I say, I picture Eric and Ernie flitting around in the congregation with huge grins on their faces! I do hope that the bumps in the road ahead can soon co-exist with smiles and laughter.

Best wishes to you and your family,

Hils

X

SewBears profile image
SewBears

Same thing happens here. Hubby will fixate and not move unless I pause the TV and remind him of what he was about to do. It’s like the TV has become his world. Or the computer, he’ll sit at the computer and watch the same YouTube video over and over and act like each show is brand new. I don’t understand it but hey, if it makes him happy why not?

aliciamq profile image
aliciamq in reply toSewBears

I'm always sayin' " OMG! We've seen this same show 15 times!!! He always looks surprised,like, 🤔We have?

SewBears profile image
SewBears in reply toaliciamq

Totally! And while watching the same show he’ll fall asleep. If I change the channel he wakes up. I just let him do his thing and put a headset on, play soft music to tune out “his” noise and read a book or just close my eyes and rest knowing that he’s right beside me.

Uscarol profile image
Uscarol

My husband .. the same. I have to turn the sound off on the tv to get him to focus also. Just brain deterioration..

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

PSP gifts!

Well, we all know of the problems PSP can bring and we learn bit by bit to cope with each of them...
Richanne profile image

No pattern to PSP

My husband was in hospital for a week with urinary and respiratory infection. After caring for him...
Althea-c profile image

New to PSP and to this site-not so new to PSP symptoms

My family and I are new to this diagnosis of PSP. Unfortunately, not so new to the symptoms. I...
tlovins profile image

Cognitive problems related to PSP

I'm wondering about cognitive problems. My husband has been getting up EVERY night about an hour...
laroux profile image

Dad in late stage PSP

Hi Sorry for the long message but I would really appreciate some perspective... My father is in...
sammy90210 profile image

Moderation team

HelenPSPA profile image
HelenPSPAAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.