Coping With Mental & Behavioral Changes in Stoke Patients

Mental Healing

Introduction

When a family member suffers from a stroke, the first hours of the event are the most anxious and frightening. It is a time of apprehension, confusion and perhaps despair as the victim's survival is in question. Even if he or she survives, the family may be faced with a changed person, as stroke survivors may have these problems:

• Lapses in memory.
• Inability to concentrate.
• Inability to reason.
• Changes in personality.

Lapses In Memory

Most stroke patients do not have complete loss of memory. They usually have fairly good recall of the past, but find present events hard to remember. They may ask for the same information many times.

This happens because stroke affects the channels of stimulation to the brain. As a result, stimulus from the environment may not reach the brain.

What the family can do to help

• Treat the patient as an adult.
• Use aids and books to stimulate memory.
• Be understanding and patient.
• Allow enough time for the patient to respond.
• Repeat messages simply and clearly.

Inability To Concentrate

Many patients find it hard to concentrate, even for a few minutes, due to weakness and fatigue caused by the stroke. This will improve as the patient recovers.

What the family can do to help

• Have shorter and more frequent periods of activity. For example, shorter rehabilitative exercise periods.
• Reduce distractions in the environment.

Inability To Reason

Many stroke sufferers experience difficulty in thinking quickly can appear confused and inflexible.

What the family can do to help

• Speak clearly and give simple information.
• Do not argue or "talk down" to the person.

Changes In Personality

Personality is reflected in the way people feel, think and react to themselves and the environment around them. Families find it most disturbing when patients have drastic personality changes. They will often appear very different - not their normal, familiar selves. This can manifest in several ways:

Rapid Mood Swings

Some patients can suddenly burst into tears, laughter or anger for no apparent reason. The outbursts are usually due to an inability to control emotions. Fortunately, these rapid mood swings rarely continue beyond the initial period of recovery.

What the family can do to help

• Ignore these mood swings.
• Continue casual conversations with the patient.
• Given time, control over emotions will return.
• Depression

Stroke patients are often depressed. They have difficulty accepting the effects of stroke which include paralysis, general weakness, inability to communicate and the need to depend on others for their daily needs. Depression may begin soon after the stroke or many weeks later.

What the family can do to help

• Show direct interest in helping the patient recover.
• Provide reassurance and emotional support.
• Unreasonable Behaviour

Very often, patients encounter failure and discomfort in everything they try to do. This translates into unreasonable and irritable behaviour - it's their way of conveying the frustration and confusion they feel.

What the family can do to help

• Treat the patient as an adult.
• After the patient calms down, rationally discuss his or her behaviour, offering alternatives to avoid recurrences.
• Extreme Tension And Anxiety

Patients are often anxious about themselves and about the effect of their illness on their families.

What the family can do to help

• Ease the patient's fears. Learn and understand what the condition is from a healthcare professional.
• Find ways to relax her or him. Try playing soothing music for example. o Foster realistic hopes and expectations for recovery.
• Encourage the patient to express feelings.

A Final Word

Changes in personality can be disturbing for both patient and family. Helping stroke patients adjust to these changes properly must involve the co-operative efforts of all - patients, their families and their professional healthcare team.