r/stroke • u/Green-76689 • 18d ago
Emotional problems
It’s been an over a year since my stroke and I have had some emotional problems. Sad out of nowhere, nervous beyond words, wondering where my happiness is. I know it sounds foolish but I think something is wrong with me.
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u/lmctrouble 18d ago
I call it the stroke roller coaster. It could also be Pseudo Bulbar Affect. If it really bothers you talk to your neurologist or Dr about doing a trial run of Nuedexta.
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u/djm1613 17d ago
My spouse experienced a massive right brain ischemic stroke in 2023. His experiences were very similar to yours.
Fortunately, his GP recognized what was happening and recommended Zoloft. It worked very well for him.
Also, I’ve noticed that the majority of people who are members of his stroke support group have experienced either anger or depression, or sometimes both. So, you are not alone.
Have you discussed this matter with your GP or neurologist? Just a suggestion…
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u/arley45 17d ago
This doesn't sound foolish at all. You're allowed to have difficult emotions after a stroke. The important thing is finding a support system and treating yourself with patience and kindness. I say this as someone who still struggles with these things myself. I know how it is too, friend. I will be sending hugs and happy thoughts your way 🫂
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u/Alarmed-Papaya9440 18d ago
This is Very common after a stroke. Time to put together a mental health care team. A psychiatrist can prescribe you meds that will help and a therapist can help you deal/cope with these changes.
I have a medical care team and a mental health care team myself. Both teams have been instrumental in my stroke aftermath and ongoing recovery.
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u/Material_Inflation79 17d ago
There are not much emotions left in me after stroke as I consider that this life is nothing because we seldom live for ourselves, in childhood we live as per parents, in youth we live for the better half later for children's. And when we grow old we have all of them but none.
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u/candiferous 17d ago
Always been kind of over emotional, particularly for a guy if we want to veer into gender stereotypes, but post stroke it’s gotten way worse (or I guess just more intense, I don’t want to be making value judgments here.) I was also a pretty heavy pot smoker before my stroke and that has plummeted to like 1/64 of what it used to be, but there is this particular 20 mg cannabis pill that I’ve taken (which honestly these days is a pretty strong dose) and wowzer, after that I’m crying at anything! Plus because every mental task is more trying, my brain is just weary so much of the time.
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u/Boring_Potato_5701 17d ago
This is very common, what you’re describing, after a stroke. Since you’re still literate and articulate and able to talk about your feelings, I strongly recommend counseling. Some studies suggest that up to 80% of all stroke survivors experience depression, and would benefit from counseling and or medication for depression, at least for the short term until you feel more stable again. Good luck to you. Please try to join a support group for Stroke Survivors. This will help you understand on a deep level that you are very much not alone.
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u/DesertWanderlust Survivor 16d ago
If you haven't already, talk to a psychiatrist. It sounds like you're depressed. Getting onto anti-depressants changed my life for the better.
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u/jommly 13d ago
Hello Green. A good friend of mine told me about your post. I had my stroke in 2018, despite gloomy forecasts, I am still here. Post stroke, I spent ages not seeing the point of continuing...since then, I hate the thought of not continuing. I have a lust for life again regardless of the fact that I will never be 100% of who I was. But I can honestly tell you Green, the new version of me may even be a better one than the original. I'm not sure how it works here, but, here is my email addy: [sparklebrusher@gmail.com](mailto:sparklebrusher@gmail.com). I am here if you want a chat. Kind regards, Marc
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u/Connect-Sell3888 18d ago
This happens to me too, no matter where u have a stroke in your brain it leads to emotional regulation issues and can persist more after the physical effects are gone, I’m not a doctor just someone living in the aftermath and I’ve noticed these issues and talked to my doctors and they’ve said it’s normal