Hello EnableMe member

In this edition of the EnableMe newsletter we look at emotional changes after stroke. 

Stroke is a life-changing event for survivors and their loved ones. Those affected will experience different and often complex layers of emotions. These feelings can range from relief at surviving and a new appreciation for life, through to more challenging feelings and emotions

In this EnableMe podcast we explore emotional changes that occur as a result of damage to the brain, and impacts such as emotional lability. 

Jenny shares her advice on dealing with emotional lability and how she took back control.

We explore how the community feels about living with invisible disabilities and the stigma that may occur.

StrokeLine shares how physical and emotional recovery can work together.

And we need your help to find the next Stroke Care Champion.

All this and more!

P.S click here for all EnableMe newsletters.

In this podcast, we talk about the emotional and personality changes a stroke can bring, and what you can do to cope with them.

Our guests are Associate Professor Maree Hackett, Program Head of Mental Health at the George Institute for Global Health; stroke survivor Jenny Ferrier, who has herself experienced emotional changes; and occupational therapist Kirsty Cole, from StrokeLine.

Click here for the full EnableMe podcast series.

Forums:

• Every bit of exercise helps stroke patients, researchers find
• Adam: Dealing with Centrelink
• Craigb: How do I introduce myself?
• Lucywallis: Pregnancy post stroke day. Medications and delivery help
   

Blogs:

• Bob: A Still Life
• Sue: Breath
• Jim: Medi Alert - thanks
• Adam: Brain information 
   

For all blogs click here

Ask a question:

• James: Recovery process after brain stem bleeds?
• Paul: How do I decrease the pins and needles in my arm and right hand?
• Katrina: Looking for information about ICA occlusion and posterior circulation stroke.

Click here for questions asked by your fellow community members. Perhaps you can contribute some of your own experiences, learn something new or ask a question?

It’s very normal to experience strong emotions after a stroke. Difficult emotional reactions will usually get easier with time.

In addition to the physical impact of my stroke, I struggled with the emotional changes. My stroke struck the right side of my brain and the damage resulted in emotional lability.

The best description I have found is ‘spontaneous emotional highs and lows with inappropriate laughing and crying’.

My moods are up and down and my reactions to things feel out of proportion. When it first happened I was completely bewildered as I’d never felt like this before my stroke. Read more.

The physical and emotional aspects of recovery are separate but interconnected. Recovery requires consistent work, often at a time when survivors are most depleted, both physically and emotionally. Read more.

Hidden disabilities have been a topic of conversation this week on the Stroke Foundation Facebook wall.

Kat has also written a blog about the need to remove the stigma of invisible illness and disabilities.

She says "So many young people who have strokes aren’t able to return to the workplace. And those that do sometimes put themselves under enormous pressure to make it seem like they’re okay." Read more.

On StrokeLine, we often ask people if they have considered accessing counselling. Our role is to help people equip themselves with the tools they need to live well after a stroke. Counselling is one of these tools and it can be a really helpful one. So how do people respond when we suggest it? Read more.

Researcher are exploring how stroke survivors with aphasia find and share information in online forums. We are very pleased that EnableMe can contribute to this research.

This University of Queensland project will explore people’s experiences and needs. The findings may be used to help improve services. 

This research has been approved by the University’s ethics committee and by the Stroke Foundation Research Committee.

The researchers will only be looking at public posts, and will not have access to any personal information about EnableMe members.

Your privacy will be protected in reports and articles about the study. No identifying information or quotes from posts will be used.

Once the study is completed, a summary of the findings will be made available on EnableMe.

If you have questions or concerns about the use of EnableMe posts for research, or would like more information, please contact help@enableme.org.au.

If you’d like to speak to us about it please call Jude on 03 9670 1000.

Nominations are now open for this prestigious award, which recognises the unsung heroes of stroke who are making life better for Australia’s stroke community.

If you know a health professional or researcher who deserves to be celebrated for their dedication to making a difference in stroke prevention, treatment, care or advocacy, nominate them here.

Photo: 2017 Stroke Champion Award winner A/Prof Erin Godecke.

Remember, if you need help or have any tips to help improve EnableMe, we would love to hear from you at enableme@strokefoundation.org.au

We look forward to assisting you in your recovery and helping you to live your life well after stroke.

Many thanks,
 

Diana Kerr | Online Community Coordinator
National Stroke Foundation | Level 7, 461 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
T +61 3 9670 1000 |StrokeLine: 1800 787 653