Stroke Information

• Home
• About Us
• Chest Information
• Heart Information
• Stroke Information
  • Types Of Stroke
  • Transient Ischaemic Attacks
  • Your Stroke Journey
  • How Stroke Affects You
    • Swallowing Problems
    • Eye Problems
    • Continence Problems
    • Tiredness
    • Balance Problems
    • Communication Problems
    • Behaviour Problems
    • Coping With Anxiety
    • Coping with Depression
    • Poor Concentration
    • Memory Problems
    • Thinking Problems
    • Central Post Stroke Pain
    • Epilepsy
  • Living With A Stroke
  • Reduce Your Risk Of Stroke
  • Where To Get Help
  • Information For Carers
  • Stroke Links & Contacts
  • Suggested Book List
  • FAQs
• Publications And DVDs
• Community Support
• Fundraising
• Education And Training
• Have Your Say
• Research And Funding
• Volunteering
• Health Professionals

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

Behaviour Problems

Uncontrolled Emotions

Stroke often affects the ability to control emotions and 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 stroke damage, and be as distressing to you as they are to other people.

It is helpful for people not to over-react and to acknowledge that they understand this reaction is part of your stroke.

Back to top

Personality Changes

A stroke can cause very subtle or sometimes quite obvious personality changes

• you may not realise you have changed, and so do not appreciate that this is a difficulty for your family to cope with
• the element of control that restrains us from doing inappropriate or embarrassing things can be diminished
• 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.

Increased Apathy

You may experience a more intense increase in apathy and lack of motivation after your stroke which is different to being tired or depressed. This can be a big issue for some people and hard to deal with when you are trying to be positive and active in your recovery.

It can also be very frustrating and draining for people around you. Try to understand that it is not deliberate behaviour.

Effect Of Frustration

Trying to cope with the problems stroke causes can lead to a great deal of frustration for the affected person, their family and friends

• you may experience irritability and impulsiveness when simply trying to do what you could easily do before the stroke
• you may not be able to use skills of reasoning, problem solving or judgment any more.

Learning patience and understanding is important for everyone.

• Coming To Terms With A Stroke SS8 [650K PDF]
• Thinking And Behaviour Issues SS9 [492K PDF]

Advice For Carers

No-one knows a person as well as family does. Changes are sometimes difficult to spot unless you knew the person before they had their stroke. Family members and carers often feel their loyalty to the person they care about interferes with the need to explain how the person has changed and how distressing that is

• do not feel guilty about speaking to other people about the changes you have noticed
• remember the person affected 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
• understanding the effects of frustration and anxiety will help you to find ways of making the situation more manageable

Information For Carers

Coping With Anxiety

Back to top