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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffRecovering from a stroke can be mentally exhausting. In addition to the various physical side effects, feelings of helplessness, frustration, depression and apathy aren't unusual. Diminished sex drive and mood changes also are common.
How quickly you recover from a stroke depends on the extent of damage to your brain, and the intensity and duration of the therapy you receive. But your recovery also is likely to be influenced by your personality, life experiences and coping styles. Your own motivation to recover is a key factor in obtaining an optimal level of rehabilitation.
If someone close to you has had a stroke, you can help by offering companionship and support. Here are some tips to help you communicate with someone whose speech has been affected by a stroke:
- Stay in touch. Your friend or family member needs you but might not be able to tell you so. Make an effort to be there.
- Keep conversation at an adult level. Address stroke survivors directly and don't talk down to them. Treat them just as you did before the stroke. Because someone has had a stroke doesn't mean he or she can't think anymore.
- Use a normal tone of voice. Unless there's a hearing loss, you don't need to speak more loudly than usual.
- Speak at a comfortable pace. Allow time for your words to be processed. Try to talk about only one topic at a time.
- Avoid distractions. Reduce background noise and distractions from TVs, radios and physical activities.
- Talk one-on-one. A stroke survivor may understand best when the conversation includes fewer people.
- Keep caregivers in mind. They need support and friendship, too. Include them in your thoughts and plans.
Although stroke-related disabilities can be permanent, many people lead active lives after a stroke. Many are able to resume everyday life and responsibilities.
