title: Life after a stroke: coping with change.
abstract: Individuals who have had a stroke must cope with many changes in their lives. Initially, the focus is on the physical changes and functional abilities; however, coping with the emotional and cognitive changes also requires attention. Changes in mental status can affect a person's rehabilitation outcomes. This study describes the predominant themes related by stroke survivors that affected their recovery. Eleven right-hemisphere stroke patients (6 women and 5 men) were interviewed four times (at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months) after their stroke. The descriptions of personal changes, feelings, and experiences were categorized and analyzed for recurrent themes. The major mental changes were in mood, judgment, memory, and personality. At 6 months, the predominant themes were depression, memory loss, nervousness, irritability, frustration, lack of energy, and decreased initiative. These mental changes are important for nurses to consider when planning rehabilitation goals.
authors.affiliation: University of South Florida, Tampa 33612, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sisson
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020521:Stroke / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires