Mental Illness in Stroke Survivors: Nurses Could Be Key to Recovery

Stroke is the second leading cause of death. That is sad enough, but it's so awful that even the few survivors hardly ever remain the same. While some become physically disabled, many fall into emotional turmoil. In fact, research shows that mental health disorders like depression and anxiety often result soon after a stroke.

Latest findings show that 16-85% of stroke survivors develop at least one psychosocial problem, including depression, anxiety, stress, fatigue, and decreased quality of life. Indeed, that is sad.

Know what's sadder? Very few stroke survivors seek mental health care.

Well, the research revealed that nurses could be key to helping individuals who are recovering from stroke.

Nurses usually work closely with stroke victims during the weeks, even months, after the occurrence. Mental illness may develop during this time. Hence, nurses are in a good position to help stroke survivors manage their resulting mental illness by providing emotional support, mental health awareness, screening, and assessment for their psychosocial needs.

If you're a nurse, medical doctor, or any other healthcare provider, knowing how to better help your patients brings you one step closer to saving more lives.

The American Stroke Association provides guidelines for how healthcare professionals can help stroke patients navigate the emotional and psychosocial challenges resulting from a stroke.

Here are some key takeaways:

Depression

Depression affects about 30% of stroke survivors. It typically develops within the first three months after the fact. Nurses can help through routine depression screening and educating the survivor and their families on how to manage depression if they notice symptoms.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affect about 16.5 of stroke survivors. They should be screened while recovering at the hospital. Education, mindfulness, and medication can be of great help to stroke survivors.

Anxiety

Anxiety can result in up to 25% of stroke survivors almost immediately, while about 34% may develop anxiety within the first 5 years. Standard screening and prompt detection can help.

Read the research here.

If you or your loved one is experiencing depression or any other mental health condition after surviving a stroke but you're out of the hospital already, you can still get help.

Author

Satu H. Woodland, PMHCNS-BC, APRN Satu Woodland is owner and clinician of Hope Mental Health, an integrative mental health practice located at Bown Crossing in Boise, Idaho. She sees children, adolescents, and adults. Ms. Woodland with her background in nursing, prefers a holistic and integrative approach to mental health care that addresses the mind and body together. While Ms. Woodland provides medication management services in all her patients, she believes in long-lasting solutions that include a number of psychotherapies, namely cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy, attention to lifestyle, evidenced based alternative psychiatric care and spirituality. If you’d like to gain control over your mental health issues, call Hope Mental Health at 208-918-0958, or use the online scheduling tool to set up an initial consultation.