Helping in the Recovery Stages Following a Stroke

By: Jo Johnson - Updated: 27 May 2012 | *Discuss

 

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When a friend or relative suffers from a stroke, which can also be known as a brain attack, the consequences may be permanent or, with the help or professionals and those around them, reversible depending on the severity and which area of the brain has been affected.

Many people make a good recovery after a stroke whilst others will be left with some very noticeable differences. As the supporting party, it is vital that this is understood. For many, life will not be able to continue in the same way as before the stroke and the person will have to adapt to their new circumstances. This can be made a lot easier if the people near tot hem are willing to help them adjust.

Obviously if a person has shown any stroke symptoms or has been diagnosed as having had a stroke, they will need medical assistance in the first instance, but there are also methods that you can use to help in the long term goals of stroke treatment.

What Can be Done to Help?

As the supportive person, you should make time to listen to the person’s fears, know when they need time on their own and also try and make the transition easier for them.Stroke victims may become angry and want to find someone or something to blame and commonly this is incurred by those closest. Try not to let the person’s anger cause your own anger to rise and this is a natural reaction but will not be productive in the recovery process.

Allow the person time to adjust by letting them display and work through their emotions.Sometimes people can suffer from what is known as a mini-stroke, which although can be very frightening for all parties, can often cause temporary symptoms that lessen over time.

Understand Your Own Limitations

It is also important for those around to spot any signs of depression that is more severe than a normal low mood. Long term episodes of anxiety, self-neglect, silence, and lack of communication may all be telltale signs that the person is not coping emotionally with their new circumstances.It is not unusual for stroke victims to need professional input in the rehabilitation process and there are several agencies that specialise in this area.

Although there is an awful lot of research being carried into stroke treatments and stoke prevention, it is still a very frequent occurrence that can impact the rest of a person’s life.If you have any questions or want to find more about how you can help in the period following a stroke, please don’t hesitate in contacting one of the many professional organisation who will be able to provide a wealth of information on the subject.

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