According to a scientific statement from the American Stroke Association, depression is common among stroke survivors. As many as one-third of people who have had a stroke may struggle with feelings of sadness and despair that can be debilitating.
Far too often, depression is overlooked and underdiagnosed and can have an enormous negative impact on the quality of life for those who are going through it—but it doesn’t have to remain that way.
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A proper diagnosis plus effective treatments can make a world of difference in helping people recover from the emotional trauma associated with their strokes. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what you need to know about depression after suffering a stroke: its causes, risk factors and symptoms, along with strategies that may help manage your condition.
The American Stroke Association suggests that stroke survivors who experience depression should seek evaluation and treatment. People who have had a stroke may suffer from a disruption of sleep, eating, continence, and other bodily functions, so self-care is critical. This should include reaching out to family and friends for emotional support. Unfortunately, both stroke and depression still carry some social stigma, and many stroke survivors are reluctant to seek help. They may also need extra support to acknowledge the symptoms of depression.
“Depression following a stroke can be a normal psychological reaction to the stress of the injury, disability or brush with mortality brought on by the stroke,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., an American Heart Association volunteer. “In other cases, it may be caused by structural, electrical or biochemical changes in the brain. If certain brain regions are injured, the systems that regulate emotion may be damaged, producing depression, anxiety, or PTSD-like symptoms in stroke survivors. Depression and stroke are both examples of the many conditions which threaten brain health.”
Sen. John Fetterman, who had a stroke in May of 2022 and sought treatment for depression, has brought media attention related to stroke and depression. Fortunately, with this attention, the public has become more aware of the importance of depression treatments.
For those with depression, a combination of counseling, stress reduction, medication, and regular exercise can be helpful. Proper treatment of depression can not only improve mood, but it can also boost physical, intellectual, and cognitive recovery. Previous studies have shown that depression goes hand in hand with lower levels of social support, so reaching out to family and friends can be paramount for a stroke survivor’s long-term mental well-being.
Supporting Brain Health
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Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
