Your emotions after stroke.
Your emotions are normal and expected.
You will likely feel a wide range of emotions as you recover from your stroke. The mostly commonly reported emotions include:
- Anger
- Fear
- Sadness
- Relief
- Apathy
Whatever you are feeling is valid and normal. You may also notice emotional changes that are caused by the way the stroke affected your brain. This includes such as crying or laughing when it doesn't match your mood. You may feel unintentionally angry or cheerful and that is also perfectly normal after a stroke.
There are several coping techniques to heal from the negative thoughts and feelings that are so common after stroke.
What you can do.
This may feel a little odd at first, but remind yourself that what you are feeling is completely normal.
Talk to yourself in the way you would speak to a beloved friend or family member.
You can think this pep talk to yourself, you can speak it out loud, or you can have it written down for you.
You will have a lot of victories during your recovery. Some may be small. Some may be huge. You may have days where you don't see progress at all — just getting to that point is a victory.
Remember to celebrate your successes no matter how small they may seem. Progress is always a reason to feel good about yourself.
It’s okay to share your feelings about how the stroke affected you.
Let people know how you are truly feeling when they ask. It may make you feel better to talk about what’s happening.
Lean on your loved ones for support or simply for quiet company.
Find a support group or ask your doctor to connect you with a fellow stroke survivor who understands how you may be feeling.
Work with your doctor or your physical and occupational therapists to come up with a way to get moving.
Exercise strengthens your body and your mind. Here are tips to get you moving —safely — after a stroke.
Stroke may cause you to tire more easily than before. And lack of sleep can sometimes make negative emotions feel worse.
Speak to your doctor if you need help falling asleep or staying asleep.
Your emotional recovery is just as important as your physical health. You may find comfort and healing in talking to a therapist who understands stroke recovery.
Depression and stroke.
Depression can be common in stroke survivors. It can be caused by biochemical changes from the stroke or a normal psychological reaction to a traumatic medical event.
Symptoms of depression after stroke include:
- Feeling sad or “empty” for more than two weeks.
- Feeling restless or irritable.
- Feeling hopeless, worthless, or helpless.
- Loss of interest in hobbies and activities you once enjoyed, including sex.
- Changes to your appetite and/or weight.
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts.
It is important to get help for post- stroke depression. Untreated depression can slow down your recovery. Your family, friends, doctors and therapists can help you — tell them if you are feeling depressed. You are not alone.
Find a mental health professional
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255.
You've got this. Your brain and body are going through a remarkable period of recovery and adjustment. You are strong. You are powerful. You can do this.