Stroke and Rehabilitation: Psychological Perspectives

It is important to recognize the traumatic experience of stroke and the psychological factors that are important in rehabilitation and recovery. A range of psychological experiences often occur following stroke, including grief and bereavement reactions, depression, and anxiety, as well as more problematic symptoms of post-traumatic stress. How people deal with and respond to these experiences will differ, and these responses, to some extent, will be influenced by other psychological factors, including patient beliefs and attitudes. Treatment programs should take account of psychological...

It is important to recognize the traumatic experience of stroke and the psychological factors that are important in rehabilitation and recovery. A range of psychological experiences often occur following stroke, including grief and bereavement reactions, depression, and anxiety, as well as more problematic symptoms of post-traumatic stress. How people deal with and respond to these experiences will differ, and these responses, to some extent, will be influenced by other psychological factors, including patient beliefs and attitudes. Treatment programs should take account of psychological factors in recovery, with interventions being targeted at the level of the organization and health care system, as well as at the level of the individual.