The effects of a stroke on depression
Leethaniel Brumfield
Issue date: 5/7/08 Section: News
Decades ago, physicians confirmed that people are at an increased risk of depression after having had a stroke. New research indicates that brain changes are partially responsible for this increased risk.
"The depression that may follow a stroke is often more severe than would be expected, even after suffering a physical disability, and this unusual depth of sadness is believed to be caused partially by the physical damage the a stroke renders on the brain and on neurotransmitters," said Dr. David Neubauer, world-renowned Johns Hopkins medical doctor and clinical psychiatrist.
In fact, the exact location in the brain that the stroke damaged can be predictive of whether depression will set in, and of how severe the mood changes will be. Strokes in the left frontal portion of the brain, for example, are especially likely to be associated with subsequent depression.
A new study published in the journal Stroke introduced a new area of research called post-stroke depression, which focuses on how long it takes employed individuals who have had a stroke to return to work. The article first points out that about 20 percent of people who have strokes are relatively young and so are still working. The researchers then reported that the depression following a stroke turns out to be almost as great an obstacle as the physical disabilities themselves, in terms of delaying the return to work.
Neubauer believes that maintaining a variety of interests and hobbies is the perfect strategy against both strokes and depression. He encourages patients suffering from depression to take an active part in things that they like doing.
"I have worked in the fields of psychiatry and sleep medicine at Johns Hopkins for 20 years, but I've also pursued many other interests-music, photography, filmmaking, astronomy, computer programming, and baking," Neubauer said. "I even have a master's degree in anthropology. I've found that having interests and activities away from medicine is both enjoyable and important for my own good mental health."
Depression following a stroke can last a few years if untreated, but antidepressants can be very helpful in many of these cases.
"If you or someone you know is depressed after having a stroke don't assume it's just a normal reaction to being suddenly saddled with a physical disability-the mental symptoms might very well be due to physical changes caused by the stroke," Neubauer said.
So make sure the doctors involved are aware of the depression so that it can be treated because treating the depression can speed overall recovery.
"The depression that may follow a stroke is often more severe than would be expected, even after suffering a physical disability, and this unusual depth of sadness is believed to be caused partially by the physical damage the a stroke renders on the brain and on neurotransmitters," said Dr. David Neubauer, world-renowned Johns Hopkins medical doctor and clinical psychiatrist.
In fact, the exact location in the brain that the stroke damaged can be predictive of whether depression will set in, and of how severe the mood changes will be. Strokes in the left frontal portion of the brain, for example, are especially likely to be associated with subsequent depression.
A new study published in the journal Stroke introduced a new area of research called post-stroke depression, which focuses on how long it takes employed individuals who have had a stroke to return to work. The article first points out that about 20 percent of people who have strokes are relatively young and so are still working. The researchers then reported that the depression following a stroke turns out to be almost as great an obstacle as the physical disabilities themselves, in terms of delaying the return to work.
Neubauer believes that maintaining a variety of interests and hobbies is the perfect strategy against both strokes and depression. He encourages patients suffering from depression to take an active part in things that they like doing.
"I have worked in the fields of psychiatry and sleep medicine at Johns Hopkins for 20 years, but I've also pursued many other interests-music, photography, filmmaking, astronomy, computer programming, and baking," Neubauer said. "I even have a master's degree in anthropology. I've found that having interests and activities away from medicine is both enjoyable and important for my own good mental health."
Depression following a stroke can last a few years if untreated, but antidepressants can be very helpful in many of these cases.
"If you or someone you know is depressed after having a stroke don't assume it's just a normal reaction to being suddenly saddled with a physical disability-the mental symptoms might very well be due to physical changes caused by the stroke," Neubauer said.
So make sure the doctors involved are aware of the depression so that it can be treated because treating the depression can speed overall recovery.
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