Behavioral Disturbance
Depression and anxiety are among the top complaints in post-stroke patients. Out of place emotions, disproportionate expression of emotions, unprompted joy and cry, irritable and risky behavior are some examples of personality disturbances seen post-stroke. These pose a particular challenge to the caregivers and closest family members who may find it difficult to adjust to mood fluctuations.
The location of the injury in the brain is a determiner of the symptoms, as the symptoms are in relation to the part of the brain damaged. Other than the mood and vision control, the right side of the brain controls the physical activity of the left side of the body and vice versa. Depending upon the side of the stroke-resultant damage, the manifestations are particularly traceable;
Right side brain damage can cause
- Paralysis and weakness on the left side of the body
- Purposeless, impulsive, and rash behavior
- Altered vision
- Memory loss
Damage on the left side particularly cause
- Weakness and paralysis in the right side of the body
- Slow movements
- Speech and language problems
- Memory loss