The  LBD journey is one of “syndromes” that you’ve never heard of.  Syndromes such as Capgras syndrome, “falling-tree” syndrome, “show-time” syndrome, and so much more.  Pusher syndrome is one of those.

Pusher syndrome is defined differently by different practitioners.  Medically it is changes in the brain that cause someone to tilt far to one side–the “Lewy lean.”  And then there’s another part of pusher syndrome that whenever they feel stimulus on their back, they push hard backwards.  This is hard.

Because what it looks like is when you are trying to lift your loved one or pull them forward, they push backward with all their might.  Even if they are standing and are at risk of falling backwards, they think they need to push hard backwards while you are trying hard to pull them forward.  It’s war.

For my loved one who can’t stand right now, that pusher syndrome looks like pushing back hard in the couch while we are pulling her hard forward to get clothes on, or wrap the lift belt around her chest, or whatever.  You put any pressure on their back, and they will immediately think they need to push backwards hard.  No verbal commands are going to change that.  The best you can do is have them grab your hands and pull them forward with appropriate pressure rather than give any stimulus to their back.

Not going to lie.  This syndrome isn’t fun.  Although it still beats Capgras, my all-time most loathed syndrome.  Thankfully that’s been better.