Depression after strokes

Abstract

Many stroke patients, especially those with nondominant hemisphere damage, have disturbances of visuospatial perception and memory. Besides, an intellectual impairment and slowing of thought are encountered in stroke patients. Further often there exists an increased tendency to anxiety in the face of tasks. All this too often results in a depression, even in nonbrain damaged patients. The onset of the depression may be delayed for several months. A description of the features of this depression is presented. All depressed stroke patients should have a trial of antidepressants. The treatment and the psychological approach of these depressed stroke patients are briefly discussed.