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You are in: Home > Stroke Information > How Stroke Affects You > Behaviour Problems

Behaviour Problems

• Uncontrolled emotions
• Personality changes
• Lack of motivation
• Frustration
• Tips for family, friends and carers

It is important to be patient with yourself and try to understand that the changes described on this page are due to your stroke.

Uncontrolled emotions

A stroke can affect your ability to control emotions: this is called being 'emotionally labile'.

• You might experience excessive crying or laughter, sometimes unrelated to what is going on around you, e.g. laughing when something sad is said.
• Emotional outbursts and uncontrolled swearing can result from damage to your brain and can be as distressing to you as they are to other people.

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Personality changes

A stroke can cause personality changes: these can vary from being very subtle to being quite obvious.

• You may not realise you have changed. Therefore, you won't appreciate that your behaviour may be difficult for your family to cope with.

• Normally we all have an element of control over doing inappropriate or embarrassing things: this may be lost or diminished after your stroke.

• You may express impulses or desires too openly or you may not be able to stop yourself saying unkind or inappropriate things.
• You may experience a lack of insight as to what is sexually acceptable behaviour. This behaviour can be misunderstood and distressful.

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Lack of motivation

You may feel a lack of motivation and general disinterest in day–to–day activities after your stroke: this is different to being tired or depressed.

This can be hard to deal with when you are trying to be positive and active in your recovery.

Frustration

Trying to cope with the problems your stroke has caused can lead to a great deal of frustration: for you and for your family and friends.

• You may feel irritable and act impulsively when trying to do what you could easily do before your stroke.
• You may not be able to use skills of reasoning, problem–solving or judgment any more.

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Tips for family, friends and carers

Often it is family members and close friends who spot behavioural changes: this is because you knew your loved one before they had a stroke.

You may feel that your loyalty to the person you care about interferes with the need to explain how they have changed and how distressing it is.

• Don't feel guilty about speaking to other people about the changes you have noticed.
• Remember that the person you care about may not be able to recognise what you see.
• Inappropriate behaviour can be challenging to deal with and can be very distressing. Speak to your nurse or doctor about how to deal with it.
• Remember that these changes are the result of the stroke and the person who has had the stroke has no control over them. Try not to overreact.
• Understanding the effects of frustration and anxiety will help you to find ways of making the situation more manageable.
• It can also be very frustrating and draining for you. Try to get some support and time to yourself.

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