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Depression affects one-in-three stroke survivors.

Research backs up what stroke survivors know: mood is frequently affected following stroke, with depression the most common problem.

A person’s mental and emotional health can significantly alter the outcomes from rehabilitation after stroke and ultimately the quality of the life experienced by survivors and their families, their social connectedness and ability to return to work.

There are things that you can do to feel better, treatment and help is available. In this newsletter we look into relationships, crisis support, fatigue and the latest research into depression after stroke.

It's very common to experience depression or anxiety after a stroke, beyond the expected fear and early sadness. But as challenging as these conditions are, they can be treated and recovery is common.

In this podcast, we talk about out why people experience depression and anxiety after stroke, what it feels like, and how to get help that works.

Our guests are:

• Associate Professor Maree Hackett from the George Institute for Global Health, who conducts research on depression in cardiovascular diseases such as stroke.
• Luke Webb, a young stroke survivor and stage, television and film actor.
• Simone Russell, occupational therapist from StrokeLine.

Click here to listen.

 

Forums:

• Rachael: Irrational spending
• Josnjos: PFO Closure - Surgery Recovery
• Samantha asks about: Lymphodema
• Alina: Motivation or lack there of!

For all conversations click here

Blogs:

• Sugath: Mindfulness in Practice
• Joelv: A note of thanks!
• Shelagh: Stroke Inspiration - It is out there if you look for it
• Carol: Desperate

For all blogs click here

Ask a question:

• Nicola: When do I just accept that this is as good as it gets and stop trying to do the things I used to enjoy?
• Alina: After having a stroke Is it normal to have sore feet at the end of every day?
• Jen: I am having an increasing occurrence of language difficulties. What can I do to improve this?
• Kimnott: How do we cope with secretions that is keeping the stroke victim awake all night?
   

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?

Associate Professor Maree Hackett, Acting Director of the Neurological and Mental Health Division of the George Institute for Global Health in Sydney featured in our latest podcast. Here are some of the things she had to say about treatments and research on depression after stroke.

For more.....

Fatigue is common after stroke, with half of survivors in one study saying tiredness was their main problem 12 months on.

The cause of fatigue after stroke remains unclear but one simple explanation is that cognitive, physical and sensory changes after stroke mean everything takes more effort. There’s also the theory the neuroplasticity involved in recovery is a physical process, which is actually fatiguing.

For more.....

Always remember that if you or a loved one are in crisis, help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

No one needs to face their problems alone. Lifeline provides online, phone and face-to-face services. Click here to find out how its services and resources can help you, a friend or loved one.

A brain injury after stroke can be a devastating experience for spouses and partners. There is no time to adjust gradually to the injury and nothing can prepare people for the changes that both occur.

It is common to feel that after stroke life is unfair and that the injury and its consequences are undeserved. Life plans can disappear in an instant.

Stroke may change the relationship between partners and the roles of all family members. Changes that occur cover many areas.

For more.....

You may have noticed that comments on blogs disappeared for a couple of days.

The bug that caused the problem has been fixed and you will see that your comments have been republished.

We’re sorry if the problem has caused you any concern or inconvenience. We will do our best to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Moving forward if you see something not quite right in the enableme give us a shout out by emailing enableme@strokefoundation.org.au

Remember if you need help, or have tips to help us 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