Depression

[Sfen]

Husband suffering from PSP. Can still walk with walker and eat normally but is more and more depressed. No longer social or speaking much although he is able. Does anyone have experience with the depression?

[Dadshelper]

Are you certain it is depression and not apathy? A lot of people with these diseases experience apathy, a sort of withdrawal but not a true depression.

Ron

[Sfen in reply to Dadshelper]

After reading responses, I’m sure you are right. Thank you

[Kevin_1]

Hi Sfen

I am speaking as a retired mental health professional experienced with the diagnosis of depression and as a carer for PSP.

With PSP There is an emotional flattening. That is emotions look flat a lot of the time. There is a loss of initiative, apathy and a marked increase of just sitting and staring.

All of these can look like severe depression which has a similar presentation to the above.

The PSP symptoms are caused by areas of the brain not functioning very well and it's not treatable. It will not respond to medication.

If there are glimpses of raised mood, an occasional spark of interest, or of pleasure then it is prob. just PSP. PSP folk can suffer from depression, but I have not heard of it once the illness has progressed to the point the person appears flat anyway. It requires a clinician with substantial experience of PSP to tell them apart.

PSP folk feel emotionally flat. Folk with depression feel 'down'.

Folk with PSP can suffer from agitated moods, again caused by the brains degeneration. These folk do benefit from a small dose of something like Citalopram.

I do hope this gives you a bit of a guide. Do get a doctor in and do get them to confer with a PSP specialist if they are not experienced with PSP.

Wishing you well.

Kevin

[Sfen in reply to Kevin_1]

Thanks for great explanation. He definitely has highs and lows. He describes himself as depressed. Is sad remembering things he use to do. Says he would like to see friends and family, but mostly ignores them when together. When food present, he can’t attend to anything else. Does not initiate much conversation or answer my questions often.

[Kevin_1 in reply to Sfen]

Hi Sfen

Yes, as you will have worked out, folk with depression generally lack interest in food.

It's tough on the carer isn't it?

Wishing you what you need to get through.

Warmly

Kevin

[Sfen in reply to Kevin_1]

Thank you

[doglington]

How does he rate his quality of life ?

Chris was apathetic, although pre-PSP he was optimistic and energetic. The hospice asked him how he rated his quality of life and I was always surprised that it was higher than it seemed to me.

The lack of expression also made him seem " absent " . However he retained his big smile right until the last few days.

Love Jean xx

[Hidden]

All sounds very psp classic behavior, sorry your going through this.

Check his meds maybe.

Dee

[Railfan]

For me it's a struggle to hold a long conversation. Unless I use canned statements I get exhausted. It's not easy to find the words and get them out with my slowed down brain. However, as everyone around me has a normal speed and my brain takes more time, by the time I can add something myself, the topic at hand has already evolved and moved on from my thought. It is much easier for me to sit quietly and try to absorb what I can from the conversations around me.

I have found a simple way to profoundly show the mental and word finding slowdown to others. I've known I couldn't keep up with the bible readings or songs in church but it was a recent birthday celebration that brought out and enhanced this slowdown. When I sang the "Happy Birthday" song everyone noticed how far behind I was and couldn't keep the tempo. Pitch/tone adjustments were off as well. The much familiar song ended up as a jumbled hot mess.

Perhaps some researcher or neuropsychologist would be able to explain it or use that info as part of diagnostic tools.

Tony

[Sfen in reply to Railfan]

Thank you for explaining. Sounds just like my guy. My thoughts are with you

[Tunupup]

Yes my sister was just the same. Went very withdrawn and we just couldn't motivate her so sad. She was such a chatty and bubbly person xxx

[Sfen in reply to Tunupup]

It’s so hard. Just not like him.