Managing Post Stroke Depression

People who survive a stroke will frequently experience depression. The condition is prevalent enough (thought to affect 30% of stroke survivors) that it has become increasingly acknowledged, and even “acronymized” as ‘PSD’. Distress in response to the loss of independence and brain function should not be surprising. However it is a potentially manageable impact, one that can have a huge influence on quality of life, and therefore on ultimate levels of recovery. Therefore it’s important to not only recognize its occurrence, but to treat it as well.

Strokes can produce a lot of physical problems that resemble symptoms of depression, such as interference with physical activity, sleep, and appetite- as well as loss of fun. It’s important to look beyond these symptoms and also consider whether a person is interested in things, or shows any positive mood or initiative. Otherwise the problem might be ignored as just another feature of the stroke. Friends or family may see these symptoms more plainly than clinicians. Read more…