A patient is usually confined to a wheelchair and needs full time care in the later stages of the disease. There are a variety of drugs and strategies, which mainly deal with symptoms. GPs and neurologists will prescribe for individual patients on an individual basis. Some detail of specific drugs and strategies are included in our Layman's Guide, sent in the Information pack to those who join The PSP Association. The Carer As PSP progresses, an increasing burden of responsibility falls on the person who cares for the patient, be it husband, wife, son, daughter or other person living at hand.
Care involves an increasingly demanding commitment.
Maintaining such quality for a loved one can be a rewarding and fulfilling role, but an extremely demanding one. Carers often experience anger, self pity, frustration, guilt and depression. They may be reluctant to discuss their feelings with others fearing rejection or being labelled as uncaring or selfish. The Association has set up sixteen Local Support Groups around the UK, which the Association Nurses and Local Support Group Consultant visit. The above four pictures show Robert Durham, a PSP Patient, in a wheelchair being pulled to the top of Skiddaw by Mountain Rescue Team friends.