Post-Stroke Psychiatric Disorders: An Overview on Its Screening and Management

Abstract

Stroke is the third leading cause of death. Stroke occurs when an insufficient amount of blood is supplied to the brain due to a thrombus or an emboli leading to permanent tissue damage. Lesions in the brain can lead to psychiatric complications. The prevalence of psychiatric complications after stroke is very common. Psychiatric complications such as depression, anxiety, apathy, pseudobulbar effects (laughing and crying), mania, psychosis, and bipolar disorders are seen after stroke. In this review, various psychiatric disorders are reported among post-stroke survivors in which depression and anxiety are common. Consequently, apathy, pseudobulbar effects, catastrophic reactions, psychosis, bipolar disorder, and mania are also observed after stroke. Therefore, early detection and management of psychiatric disorders prevent further complications and improve the quality of life in post-stroke patients.