Topic Overview
Depending on what part of the brain was affected by a
stroke
, the way a person acts may be different from how he or she acted before the stroke.
A person who was very concerned about details before a stroke may become sloppy and care little about personal appearance after a stroke. Because these problems may be annoying, it is easy to think that there is an emotional or psychological problem. In some cases, that may be true. But also consider:
- There may be a problem with memory. Someone who fails to bathe or change clothes may need a checklist on the bathroom mirror as a reminder.
- There may be a behavior problem. The person may not respond appropriately in social situations. Inappropriate behavior should be discussed immediately and in a matter-of-fact way.
If your family member has judgment problems:
- Remember that nagging or getting angry only makes things worse.
- Tell the person immediately when he or she does something wrong.
- Be sure to acknowledge when he or she does the "right" thing.
- Talk with your doctor to see if medicines might help treat the problem.
Credits
Current as of: March 4, 2020
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine
Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Richard D. Zorowitz MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation