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Post Stroke Depression

Life After Stroke Community Group

November 2023

Kailey Cox, BSN, RN, SCRN - Stroke Certified Registered Nurse

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Welcome!

Life After Stroke Community Group

December 2021

Check in:

Name
Role (survivor, care partner, friend, family etc)
Success
Challenge

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Depression and Anxiety

30-60% of stroke survivors
Most common in first year after stroke
One of the most common complications after stroke
Higher risk with more severe stroke, cognitive impairment, aphasia, or depression before the stroke

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Depression and Anxiety

Feelings of sadness, loss, despair or hopelessness that don't improve over time.
Lack of interest or pleasure in usual activities that lasts more than two weeks.
Self-criticism, with feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or feeling like a failure.
Changes in sleeping patterns.

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What happens if depression is untreated?

Increase the disability from stroke
Decrease a survivor’s mental abilities
Increase the risk of falls
Make physical rehabilitation more difficult

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Why?

Multifactorial

Biological

Location of stroke
Genetic susceptibility
Inflammation
Neurogenesis in response to stroke
Chemical neurotransmitter changes
Previous history of depression

A stroke can cause structural and chemical changes to the brain.

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Frontal Lobe Concentration, attention, elaboration of thought, behavior, problem solving, judgment, planning, emotions, memory.

Parietal Lobe:

Visual attention, movement, handling objects, understanding.

Cerebellum:

Coordination,

posture, balance

Brain Stem: Breathing, heart rate, reflexes, swallowing, blood pressure, temperature, consciousness, balance.

Temporal lobe:

Hearing, memory,

visual perception,

intellect, sense of identity,

behavior, emotions, fear,

long term memory.

Occipital Lobe:

Vision

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Risk Factors for Developing �Depression After a Stroke

Change in ability to walk...
...Or to move as well as before the stroke
Change in bladder or bowel control
Challenges communicating
Thinking or memory changes
Previous history of alcohol or drug use
Lack of family or social support

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Severity of Depression

Mild
Moderate
Severe

How does your depression impact your:

Daily life?

Relationships?

Health?

Mobility?

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Average time from symptoms of depression to treatment?

YEARS

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Treatment & Resources

Mindfulness
Medication – big topic
Excellent Nutrition

MIND diet

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

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Treatment and Resources

Your PCP!!

Find a therapist and general education:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/

National Aliance on Mental Illness:

https://www.nami.org

Local:

https://www.agingkingcounty.org/

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