Neuropsychiatric Aspects of a Common Problem: Stroke

Stroke ranks second in the list of major causes of disability and death in the world. Stroke is the sudden onset of focal or generalized abnormalities of brain function caused solely by vascular causes that are associated with cerebral blood flow and last for more than 24 hours. Stroke can also be diagnosed if symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, but with a confirmation of neuroimaging studies, the ischemic area has been clearly located and documented, symptoms disappeared after thrombolytic therapy, or the patient died within 1 day of symptoms onset. Often, patients with stroke experience emotional and behavioral disorders. Their frequency varies depending on factors such as the patient's age, gender, socio-economic status, post-stroke disability, and cognitive changes that play a crucial role in patients’ well-being and can significantly affect the recovery process. This article describes common psychiatric presentations in patients in a post-stroke period. Some available evidence-based data on the treatment of these conditions and identified possible risk factors that influence their development are presented.