Coping with emotional changes after stroke

Stroke can happen suddenly. As with any sudden health difficulties, stroke survivors and their families may experience significant emotional responses. Apart from shock, they may feel lost and confused, angry, guilty and disappointed. Often times, stroke survivors are grieving as they no longer feel like the same person as they were before. Dealing with physical and cognitive changes to their bodies can be emotionally challenging. Here are some tips for coping with these changes. 

What can I do about the way I feel?

It is normal to feel lost and confused. Give yourself time and space to feel the range of emotions you feel. There is no right or wrong emotional response to a stroke. If you are finding it difficult to cope, speak with your doctor. They will be able to refer you to the appropriate available resources for support.

Sometimes, talking to someone about how you feel can help you make sense of what you are experiencing. Talking to someone makes you feel less alone. Your source of support may even be able to help you with tips and strategies to help with what you are going through. Connecting with fellow stroke survivors is one such avenue. You can reach out to Community resources such as the Singapore National Stroke Association (SNSA) or Stroke Support Station (S3) for support. 

The pace of recovery is not the same for everyone. Listen to your body. Communicate with your rehabilitation therapists and set realistic goals. Take things one at a time, and allow your body to adjust to the “new normal”.

Engaging in activities you find meaningful may help alleviate your mood. This may include spending time with loved ones and doing things you enjoy. Be aware that while you may not be able to return to some activities immediately, there are many other ways you may still be able to do. Speak to your rehabilitation therapists to explore what types of activities that may be engaging which you are more than capable of doing!

The breath is a powerful tool in helping to calm the body and center the mind. Practicing relaxation techniques and mindfulness may help you cope with day-to-day stress or anxiety. 

Celebrate yourself! You have been through a major life challenge. Pamper yourself from time to time for coping thus far. Reward yourself with a gift or an activity you enjoy. 

How can caregivers, family members and friends help a stroke survivor?

Let them know you are willing to listen. Often, all it takes is for you to be there and available for them. 

One of the most difficult challenges a stroke survivor faces is losing his/her independence. As loved ones, it is natural that you would want to help stroke survivors as much as you can. Rather than doing everything for your family member, try encouraging them to give things a go and practise together with them as you go along. This will help them feel that despite their stroke, they are still capable in meeting some of their needs on their own. This in turns boosts their self-esteem, mood and outlook about their recovery. Speak to your rehabilitation therapists to learn more. 

Being active can help to improve to mood of your loved one. Doing things together can help to encourage your family member or friend.

Caregiving can be emotionally stressful. Do ensure that you get enough rest and look after your own emotional health. You can also find out about caregiver support from community resources such as Singapore National Stroke Association (SNSA) or Stroke Support Station (S3).

Where can I get support?

	Singapore National Stroke Association (SNSA) organises outings for stroke patients and their carers to reintegrate them into the community. They also have Stroke Support Groups to provide emotional and social support for stroke patients and their carers.
Website: http://www.snsasg.org Email: contact@snsa.org.sg Hotline: +65 8125 1446
	Established in 2015, S3 is the first and only stroke-focused community rehabilitation and wellness agency dedicated to meeting the needs of post-stroke survivors and their caregivers across Singapore. With S3, post-discharge survivors of stroke are able to receive care continuum through rehabilitation that integrates advanced rehabilitative technologies with conventional therapy as well as our signature S3 Wellness programme supporting cognitive and psychosocial development in order to  maximise recovery potential, independence and reintegration. S3 continues to work with partners to rally stroke survivors, their families, volunteers and others to raise awareness of stroke prevention in the wider community.
Website: http://www.s3.org.sg/ Email: info@s3.org.sg Hotline: +65 6473 3500

Article available Chinese, Malay and Tamil. 

For more information on how to better manage your stroke recovery journey, visit Stroke E-Resources.