Stroke and Mental Health

One day the nurse enters my room an announces its time for me to take my medicine. Initially I was fine and just casually asked her how many pills was I taking. She responded she didn’t know but let’s count and see.She got to around 15 before I stopped her and asked what each pill was for. We got to a pink color pill that was seems to have been prescribed to me for depression.

NO ONE had ever come to talk to me to determine if I was depressed. In fact other than morning rounds I never saw a doctor. What was even more disturbing was the nurses informed I could simply refuse to taking it. What would have been really good for me to have was just someone one to talk to 3even though I couldn’t talk. treating me like a human being instead of a number would have gone a long way.

How many stroke survivors a struggling and could benefit from talking with someone.

A stroke affects far more than the body—it reshapes identity, emotions, and daily life. Survivors often experience:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Grief for the “old self”

  • Frustration with slow or unpredictable recovery

  • Cognitive changes that affect memory, focus, or communication

“Coping with emotional aftermath of a stroke is just as important as physical healing.”

Mental health support is not optional—it’s essential. Counseling, peer groups, faith communities, and family support all help survivors navigate the emotional terrain of recovery.

this is something I feel quite strongly about. My stroke robbed me of my identity in a number of ways. Being able to talk to someone immediately would have been helpful. Not the doctor just making the assumptionthat because I had a stroke I was depressed. I wasn’t depressed but have a go through a number of emotions, especially after having two stroke so close together. Stroke survivors should be assessed immediately nay actually talking to a healthcare professional who understands identity theft due to traumatic event. I got to of my mental health support indirectly though my physical and occupational therapist. For what’s needed its important everyone involved with stroke is familiar as well.

NOT TALKING TO THE STROKE SURVIVOR SHOULD BE AN OPTION!