Many people wonder if emotional and behavioral changes are permanent. The answer is usually no.

Emotional and Behavioral Challenges After a Stroke

A stroke can affect people in a variety of different ways, such as impacting
muscle movement, cognition, speech, and even personalities. Emotional and
behavioral changes can sometimes be the most challenging for both stroke
survivors and their loved ones. Emotional and behavioral changes can be caused
by the physical changes of the brain injury but it can also be caused by how the
stroke has affected the stroke survivor’s outlook on their life.



Everyone is affected by a stroke differently and it’s very common to show signs
of post stroke depression and behavioral changes. Many people often find
themselves feeling angry, frustrated, anxious, hopeless, and sad because the
stroke has changed their lives and they no longer feel like they are the person
they used to be.

Emotional and behavioral changes are NOT permanent
Many people wonder if emotional and behavioral changes are permanent. The answer
is usually no. In order to help these changes, it is important to get help from
a doctor. As part of stroke victim support, a doctor will usually recommend
therapy. Sometimes emotional and behavioral changes don't go away completely but
there are ways to control them and make them more tolerable.

According to the Stroke Association after a life-changing event, such as a
stroke people tend to go through the following stages:

 1. Shock and Denial: confused, afraid, numb
 2. Anger: frustrated, embarrassed, anxious
 3. Depression: feeling overwhelmed and helpless, shutting yourself off from
    others
 4. Coming to terms: reaching out others, wanting to talk, trying to understand
    what has happened
 5. Acceptance: thinking about the future, exploring the new options



Many people become frustrated or angry because they can no longer do the things
they used to do due muscle weakness and impaired range of motion. In order to
regain strength and range of motion in the affected upper extremity, it is very
important to perform repetitive motions in that arm. One way to perform these
exercises is by using either the Neofect Smart Glove or Smart Board
[https://www.neofect.com/us/]. These products will help increase the brain's
ability to rewire itself and increase one's range of motion and strength in the
upper extremities. To learn more about the Neofect Smart Board or Smart Glove
and other stroke victim support products, please call us at (888) 623-8984 or
email us at contactus@neofect.com.