Crying

Rick has started crying at anything that might be sad. He laughs at everything and I don’t mind the laughter but the crying really bothers me.

[Hidden]

Ups and downs, “roller coaster” emotions

In PSP emotional lability, or pseudobulbar affect, may occur and is characterized by sudden or inappropriate laughter or inconsolable crying. Other mood disturbance may occur including depression and apathy, but these “mood swings” can be quite disconcerting both for family members and the patient. Treatment often initially includes antidepressants. Additional therapy may include a dextromethorphan (a common medication in cough suppressants) and quinine which have been shown to be effective.

[easterncedar]

My guy went through that phase relatively quickly. It was hard to watch. I sympathize. Distract, comfort and hold on.

[Hound25]

My husband also went through the crying phase, sad music, sad movies etc. I did frequently ask him and he said he wasn’t really upset just the emotion made him cry. He couldn’t control it. He still gets upset but I think sadly we have progressed to a more advanced stage of the disease and he doesn’t cry as frequently now.

[Dance1955]

Hi Penny yes it seems to be all

Part of PSP horrible isn’t it my husband has been doing it for a few years now sometimes I just try not to take anything to personal anymore although it is very personal

When we have to do everything isn’t it

Horrible journey I wouldn’t wish it on anyone

You want it to end but then you don’t but they are not the same person anymore are they ?

Hugs xx

[ConcernedEx in reply to Dance1955]

Your words are so exact. They are not the same person and yet, they are......

[Dance1955 in reply to ConcernedEx]

I know sometimes I don’t even know my husband anymore let alone like him and that’s the truth he’s like a different person

I am going to try some medicinal marijuana next hopefully he’ll be happy if nothing else 😊

[WifeLilyRose in reply to Dance1955]

Perhaps for both of you! Look after yourself. X

[Hidden in reply to Dance1955]

Thanks I wonder i took him off antidepressants because I couldn’t get them refilled and by the time I did he was already off them for 1 1/2 weeks. Do you think it would help if we went back on them?

[WifeLilyRose in reply to Dance1955]

I have to keep reminding myself that my husband who has probably had PSP for over 5 years, is still there inside. Apart from the impulsivity, the hardest thing I find now is the lack of empathy and an inability to pick up on others’ feelings. It does make be feel quite alone ( he seems to be withdrawing into himself more as his speech is becoming worse.) He also grins a lot of the time now as I’m struggling to do things for him, often completely exhausted. Sometimes we’re still laughing together but other times his grinning is inappropriate. I try not to respond in anyway but this is where the feeling of having lost one’s partner comes in. I do wonder/ worry how this aspect will progress.

[daddyt]

This can be part of the disease. It's called the pseudo-bulbar effect and can happen at inappropriate times - especially the laughter and definitely no fault of your loved one.

Tim x

[racinlady]

My husband never exhibited the symptoms you describe. Instead, he was so apathetic that I wished he would show some emotion. Sadly, he never did. I guess we should be careful what we wish for.

Hugs,

Pat

[Y2U4]

My husband would laugh at inappropriate times and would make me upset. He would cry at times also that didn’t really make sense. Now he really doesn’t show any emotion. Once in a while he will make a grunting noise if he thinks something is funny. Hang in there.

[Martina_MP]

Important to know that the laughing and crying often doesn’t reflect what the person is actually feeling or thinking. My mother used to have a grimacing cry at the drop of a hat—any mild emotion could set it off. She found this extremely embarrassing. She still will cry in response to beautiful music or sights or happiness, but mostly the crying has turned into chuckling and laughing especially when she needs to use the bathroom or has soiled herself. Or just in general. Chuckling is a lot easier to deal with. Sometimes she will be alternating laughing and crying. Think of it as a reflex and not necessarily emotive. You can stay calm, neutral and just wipe away tears or ignore it because you know how it is when someone shows sympathy or gives too much attention it can be embarrassing to the person and make things worse.

In public when she starts crying after meeting someone, I just say, That means she’s happy.

[Dickwin]

Penny,

My wife has pseudobulbar response in spades. Fortunately, it is mostly positive, with her laughing out loud and singing to herself. She does cry too, now and again, but the tears usually turn into laughter. Also, the laughter will come at inappropriate times, like during a funeral service or a Sunday Mass. My advice is to just roll with it. She knows it is happening, but the more she fights it, the worse it gets.

[Hidden in reply to Dickwin]

I don’t mind the laughing it just upsets me to think he’s sad.

[Dickwin in reply to Hidden]

My wife says she is not actually sad. It is like her brain reacts to the trigger (it can be something as maudlin as a sentimental Pepsi commercial on TV) and once it starts, it takes a while to shut it down, but no real emotion is there.

[Martina_MP in reply to Dickwin]

Yes he’s probably not sad, just moved.

[LostinHeadSpace]

Just adding my two cents: this hit my husband once the diabetes triggered by the CBD/Parkinsonism kicked in. He abruptly had a blood sugar spike when he's not normally diabetic. So that's another thing to consider!