Depression after stroke, also called post-stroke depression, affects approximately one third of stroke survivors at any one time after stroke. When stroke survivors experience depression, they are more likely to have fewer gains in their recovery, a poor quality of life, and increased risk for stroke in the future (Towfighi, et al, 2017).
Thankfully, there is help for people living with depression following stroke. Treating depression not only improves the stroke survivor’s mood, it helps with other aspects of recovery, including physical, cognitive and intellectual benefits. Find a mental health provider who specializes with older adults and complex medical problems here.
In this interview, stroke survivor, Angie Burke and I discuss:
- The experience of being a nurse for 26 years, having a stroke, then becoming a “patient”.
- The unseen challenges that come with having a stroke- like grief related to loss of identity, ability, career, and the way things were.
- After stroke depression and psychiatric hospitalization and treatment
- Angie’s journey of going from “stroke victim” to “stroke survivor”
- Recommendations to other stroke survivors
- Recommendations to friends and family of stroke survivors
Dr. Regina Koepp is a board certified clinical psychologist, clinical geropsychologist, and founder and CEO of the Center for Mental Health & Aging: the “go to” place for mental health and aging. Dr. Koepp is a sought after speaker on the topics of mental health and aging, caregiving, ageism, resilience, intimacy in the context of life altering Illness, and dementia and sexual expression. Dr. Koepp is on a mission to ensure mental health and belonging for older adults, because every person at every age is worthy of healing, transformation, and love. Learn more about Dr. Regina Koepp here.
Regina Koepp, PsyD, ABPP
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Older adults deserve high quality mental health care.
Therapists deserve the training to provide that care.
