Can your personality change after a stroke

Hemorrhagic strokes, on the other hand, occur when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, allowing blood to spread into surrounding tissues. Whether the cause is ischemic or hemorrhagic, personality changes after a stroke are common due to the subsequent neural tissue damage.

Because different parts of the brain regulate and control different parts of our bodies and personalities, the location and severity of the stroke will determine the types of personality changes or impairments experienced by the stroke survivor.

For example, many of our emotional responses, decision-making processes, and judgment abilities are controlled and regulated by the frontal lobes. If an individual has suffered a stroke affecting this portion of the brain, he or she may exhibit depressive symptoms and general apathy, or even lash out unexpectedly.

These personality changes are subtle for some patients and dramatic for others. In some instances, an individual may become easily irritated or even act out violently. Signs and symptoms of depression may include changes in sleeping patterns, general restlessness, or a lack of interest in activities or hobbies the individual previously enjoyed.

Similarly, stroke survivors often experience anxiety or develop anxiety disorders, which vary from a general sense of feeling overwhelmed to long-term complications such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD.

Unfortunately, many stroke survivors will also exhibit inappropriate behaviors or outbursts, which may or may not be directly related to the above conditions.

Affecting even more stroke patients than depression, the behavioral condition known as Pseudobulbar Affect or simply PBA is associated with many of the unusual and unexpected behaviors exhibited by survivors. The condition is characterized by intense and often inappropriate displays of emotions.

For example, a person struggling with PBA may suddenly begin laughing when someone is injured, or crying in response to a humorous joke.

The stroke survivor should become more aware of the things that trigger these emotions. These triggers will be different for everyone, but they can include fatigue, stress, anxiety and noisy, overcrowded environments.

Being around emotional people or events and being put under pressure can also trigger emotions. Every patient will respond differently to a stroke, and not all patients will demonstrate personality changes or inappropriate behavior after a stroke. Nonetheless, there are many proven pathways and strategies for effectively managing personality changes and inappropriate behaviors.

Nearly , Americans will suffer a stroke this year, and approximately one in three of these individuals will suffer emotional difficulties as a result. While many stroke-related impairments diminish with time, these shifts in personality and inappropriate behaviors may be a life-long struggle for countless survivors. That said, stroke support groups are an effective part of the stroke recovery process for many patients facing these issues. This compassionate, supportive, and nonjudgmental setting gives individuals a chance to both share and listen, enabling people to learn helpful habits and tips from others in attendance.

These stroke support groups may also help relieve the feelings of isolation and loneliness that many stroke survivors experience. Remind them that treatment is available and can help them get better. After a stroke, some patients find they cannot control their emotions. They may experience waves of uncontrollable laughter or crying for no reason. Treatment for this personality change includes medication and cognitive therapy.

Sometimes social avoidance goes hand-in-hand with depression. The patient may try to isolate themselves if they are unable to participate in their usual joyful activities. Loved ones can help their survivor by making them feel more included in new social activities. Cognition has to do with the way a person thinks.

Cognition is commonly affected after a stroke and can lead to a variety of personality changes. A sense of humor, for example, is dependent on cognition. One must be able to think quick on their feet to understand and make jokes. The frontal lobes play an essential role in regulating emotion, decision making and judgment. Strokes that affect the frontal lobes can lead to a range of problems, such as apathy or emotionalism an overflow of emotion without necessarily feeling that emotion.

A stroke that hits the cerebellum can also trigger a personality shift. This brain region is vital to many aspects of executive function. Damage here can bring about disinhibition, which often manifests as inappropriate behavior. Surveys suggest such changes occur rarely, but the frequency may be underreported. They might arise if a person has experienced a mild frontal lobe impairment that has led to a small increase in apathy and less anxiety. A slight loss of inhibition may also explain why a stroke victim might begin to experience more positive emotions.

Yet personality changes after a stroke could have nothing to do with afflicted brain areas. Serious illness often leads people to reevaluate their priorities in life and change their attitudes toward others.

Clinicians understandably tend to focus on the negative aspects of stroke and other brain diseases, but positive personality change is a reality for some patients and deserves further study. This article was originally published with the title "Can people's personality change for the better after a stroke?