Need Info on Personality Changes and Post CVA

    
      Re: Need Info on Personality Changes and Post CVA
    


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Posted 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.
  I would appreciate any information or sites that may have this information.
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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 [phone] 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.