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Coping and support

By Mayo Clinic staff

A stroke is a life-changing event that can affect your emotional well-being as much as your physical function. You may experience feelings of helplessness, frustration, depression and apathy. You may also have mood changes and a diminished sex drive.

Maintaining your self-esteem, connections to others and interest in the world are essential parts of your recovery. Several strategies may help both you and your caregivers, including:

  • Don't be hard on yourself. Accept that physical and emotional recovery will involve tough work, and it will take time. Aim for a "new normal," and celebrate your progress. Allow time for rest.
  • Get out of the house even if it's hard. Try not to be discouraged or self-conscious if you move slowly and need a cane, walker or wheelchair to get around. Getting out is good for you.
  • Join a support group. Meeting with others who are coping with a stroke lets you get out and share experiences, exchange information, and forge new friendships.
  • Let friends and family know what you need. People may want to help, but they may not know how to help. Let them know that you would like them to bring over a meal and stay to eat with you and talk, or to go out to lunch with you, or attend social events or church activities.
  • Know that you are not alone. Nearly 800,000 Americans have a stroke every year. Approximately every 40 seconds someone has a stroke in the United States.

Communication challenges
One of the most frustrating effects of stroke is that it can affect your speech and language. Here are some tips to help both stroke survivors and caregivers cope with communication challenges:

  • Practice will help. Try to have a conversation at least once a day. It will help you learn what works best for you, feel connected and rebuild your confidence.
  • Relax and take your time. Talking may be easiest and most enjoyable in a relaxing situation when you have plenty of time. Some stroke survivors find that after dinner is a good time.
  • Say it your way. When you're recovering from a stroke, you may need to use fewer words, rely on gestures or rely on your tone of voice to communicate.
  • Use props and communication aids. You may find it helpful to use cue cards showing frequently used words, pictures of close friends and family members, or daily activities, such as a favorite television show or the bathroom.
Prevention Treatments and drugs
References
  1. Stroke: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/stroke.htm. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  2. Oliveira-Filho J. Initial assessment and management of acute stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  3. Know stroke brochure. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://stroke.nih.gov/materials/actintime.htm. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  4. Roger V, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics - 2012 update: A report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2012;125:e2.
  5. Warning signs of a stroke. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=SYMP. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  6. Caplan LR. Overview of the evaluation of stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  7. Caplan LR. Etiology and classification of stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  8. Ischemic stroke (clots). American Stroke Association. http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/TypesofStroke/IschemicClots/Ischemic-Strokes-Clots_UCM_310939_Article.jsp. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  9. Cerebral aneurysms fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/cerebral_aneurysms.htm. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  10. Furie KL, et al. Etiology and clinical manifestations of transient ischemic attack. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  11. Effects of stroke. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=EFFECT. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  12. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm?css=print. Accessed May 7, 2012.
  13. What is echocardiography? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/echo/. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  14. Samuels OB. Intravenous fibrinolytic (thrombolytic) therapy in acute ischemic stroke: Therapeutic use. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  15. Oliveira-Filho J. Reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  16. Cucchiara BL, et al. Antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention of stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  17. Questions and answers about carotid endarterectomy. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/carotid_endarterectomy_backgrounder.htm. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  18. Mohler ER, et al. Carotid endarterectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  19. Greelish JP, et al. Carotid artery stenting and its complications. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  20. Rordorf G, et al. Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: Prognosis and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  21. Arteriovenous malformations and other vascular lesions of the central nervous system fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/avms/avms.htm. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  22. Recovery and rehabilitation. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=REHABT. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  23. Recovery after stroke — Coping with emotions. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Recov_factsheets. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  24. Recovery after stroke — Social support. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Recov_factsheets. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  25. Recovery after stroke — Thinking and cognition. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Recov_factsheets. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  26. Controllable risk factors — High blood pressure (hypertension). National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Recov_factsheets. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  27. STARS — Steps against recurrent stroke. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=STARS. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  28. Physical activity and healthy diet. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=eathealthy. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  29. Furie KL. Secondary prevention of stroke: Risk factor reduction. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  30. Oliveira-Filho J, et al. Antithrombotic treatment of acute ischemic stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  31. Brown RD (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 10, 2012.
DS00150 July 3, 2012

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