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Questions posted in the
Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Question Title: Need Info on Personality Changes and Post CVAForum: Neurology Forum
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Re: Need Info on Personality Changes and Post CVAPosted by CCF Neuro MD on September 20, 1997 at 16:32:22: In Reply to: Need Info on Personality Changes and Post CVA posted by Kari Lopez on September 16, 1997 at 21:35:20:
: I need more information on personality changes and Post CVA, Please. = Hello, Kari, Certain personality changes following stroke have been well recognized. These include irritability, apathy (lack of emotion), insomnia (not able to fall asleep), agitation, and impatience. Depending on the brain location and the size of the stroke, and depending on the presence of previous psychiatric history, the frequency and severity of personality changes vary. For example, the stroke involving the front part of the brain,especially if on both sides, tend to cause apathy and forgetfulness, and the ones that involving deep subcortical structures may result in agitation, mood fluctuation and and irritability. One study looked at this issue and suggested that personality changes and depression are associated with increased mortality following stroke. Another study titled as "psychiatric symptoms in dementia associated with stroke" analized psychiatric symptoms and behabioval problems of stroke and reported high frequency of the above mentioned symptoms. The high prevalence psychiatric symptoms in stroke patients requires special attention from the families and doctors who take care of such patients. Psychiatric evaluation should be sought. The psychiatric medicaitons need to be carefully selected since many of post stroke patients are on anticoagulants (blood thinners). The potential interaction of different types of drugs may change the blood levels of anticoagulants to make the blood too thin (easy to bleed) or too thick (easy to clot). Close monitering of drug levels under such circumstances is essential. As you can see, there are a lot of special things to consider to better take care of a stroke patient with psychiatric symptoms. The best way to handle this situation is to develop a long term care plan with your neurologist and psychiatrist. We will be happy to offer you an evaluation to initiate such plan if traveling to Cleveland is not a problem for you. Please call toll free (800) 223-2273 ext. 45559 for your appointment. This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.
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