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Had experience with post stroke emotional change?

Posted by lwbarker @lwbarker, Dec 9, 2023

My friend had a stroke 2 weeks ago. In the hospital for indeterminate time. She has made slow physical progress, but has angry moments with her sister about a fantasy she’s created about getting her a taxi to get her home, which is very unlike her pre stroke personality. Cause for concern?

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windyshores | @windyshores | Dec 9, 2023

My husband had a stroke and was angry for awhile, then flat emotionally, lacking motivation and initiative. He slept a lot for months. My mother's partner had a stroke and his personality improved, but he had some physical disabilities. It all depends on the area of the brain affected, and how much it can be rehabbed/recover.

In the case of your friend, time will tell what is temporary and what is longer lasting. It could very well be temporary.

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Scott R L | @scottrl | Dec 10, 2023

My experience: I had a stroke nearly five years ago (Christmas Eve, 2018).

I had periods of intense emotions -- laughing at nothing, crying at nothing -- that persisted for quite a while. Luckily, anger wasn't too bad, but I would get very irritable for short periods. I'd snap at my wife, and when she'd ask why, I'd say, "I don't know! I can't control it!"

Eventually, that passed, though like most guys my age, I get cranky from time to time.

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briarrose | @briarrose | Dec 11, 2023
In reply to @windyshores "My husband had a stroke and was angry for awhile, then flat emotionally, lacking motivation and..." + (show)
@windyshores

My husband had a stroke and was angry for awhile, then flat emotionally, lacking motivation and initiative. He slept a lot for months. My mother's partner had a stroke and his personality improved, but he had some physical disabilities. It all depends on the area of the brain affected, and how much it can be rehabbed/recover.

In the case of your friend, time will tell what is temporary and what is longer lasting. It could very well be temporary.

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Yes, windyshores is right on.
It does depend on the area of the brain affected and how much it can improve...no guarantees on anything when it comes to the brain. So much is unknown.
Time will tell. I can tell you I had a patient once who was at high risk for suicide her entire life. After her stroke, her desire to harm herself disappeared completely to the point she needed very little follow up psychiatric care. It was truly unbelievable...but it does happen.
A personality can change for the better or the worse or not change at all.
And the time line for recovery "pre-stroke" is different for everyone.
Just be very mindful of your friend if she becomes "dangerous" to herself or others.
Such behaviors must be addressed at once. Be patient with her. She needs lots of loving supportive care now. All the best to her.

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