What Do You Know About Post-stroke Anger?
Post-stroke changes in emotion such as anger can be caused by different factors. In this article, we will learn about some causes of anger after stroke and how caregivers and family members can help reduce the triggers.
Some common causes of post-stroke anger
Cognitive impairments:
Some stroke survivors experience changes in their brain that affects their ability to process information and understand others. Some of these changes, like lack of empathy or increased impulsiveness, can in most cases cause angry feelings and behaviors.
Loss of physical activities:
One common loss of ability that most stroke survivors experience is movement and mobility. “Mobility in itself is an essential part of life.” Carrying out activities of daily living requires movement and when it is impaired, it can be very difficult to engage in one’s regular daily activities.
When an individual begins to struggle with everyday tasks that were once easy, it can cause frustration and anger. When motor difficulties prevent survivors from engaging in their favorite hobbies or other activities that they once enjoyed, it can also cause negative feelings such as anger.
Emotional disorders:
When a stroke affects a part of the brain that is responsible for emotion, it can cause a condition known as pseudobulbar affect. This is an involuntary, inappropriate or uncontrollable outbursts of emotion like laughter, crying, or anger, especially if the situation at that moment does not require such emotions.
Anger after stroke should be given urgent attention before it becomes extreme. This is because extreme anger can lead to aggressive behavior after stroke. If not control it can also result to domestic violence.
A perceived lack of control:
The road to stroke recovery is not always easy, sometimes it comes with challenges. For example, struggling with limitation of stroke side effects can make some survivors think that they can’t live meaningful and satisfying life anymore. Such thinking and feeling can lead to erratic behaviors and anger.
Being unable to perform task once done with ease:
As discussed earlier movement difficulties is a common post-stroke effects that often affects how survivors carry out their activities. When survivors are faced with tasks they easily performed before stroke, but now struggles with often, this too can be very upsetting and may lead to anger.
Fatigue (weakness/tiredness) or confusion:
With stroke also comes fatigue and cognitive difficulties which can make life boring and confusing sometimes. This in addition can increase negative emotional reactions such as anger.
The way survivors perceive other people’s behavior:
People with disabilities are usually faced with insensitive comments (sometimes not intended to cause offense) if wrongly perceived can trigger anger. They are also faced with other challenges that can trigger anger due to other peoples’ behavior.
Anxiety and overstimulation:
As the brain is recovering from a stroke, it can lead to increased anxiety or cause an individual to become easily overwhelmed due to overstimulation in situations that involves large crowds, excess noise, or excess activity. This can be irritating and frustrating leading to anger.
How caregivers and family members can help to reduce anger triggers
As soon as a person suffer stroke, he or she may begin to experience lowered self-control. Family members and caregivers have to work hard to avoid anything or situation that trigger anger and frustration on the survivor. You will find below a few practical things you can do to help.
Show empathy and self-care: To help you show empathy try putting yourself in the survivor’s shoes. Will you have done otherwise in the circumstance? What is the survivor reacting to, you or the condition?
Most often, a stroke survivor’s anger is not directed at individuals but rather at their limitations. Even if the person is reacting in a way that is hurtful to you, try your best to practice empathy for the survivor.
The role of a caregiver for a stroke survivor can be very challenging and demanding to say the least. When added with angry outbursts from the survivor the situation will become more stressful. To avoid caregiver’s burnout, you have to regularly take good care of yourself. You can do so by practicing self-care routines such as working with support groups, seeing a therapist, and maintaining healthy limits and habits.
Help fill in the gap: If your loved one is having memory difficulties, this may make them feel disorganized and always confused. Frequently reminding them where they are, what they are doing, and why, will be helpful. This may prevent agitation and overstimulation after a stroke.
Let them know you understand their feelings when necessary: Anger triggers after a stroke often involves frustration with upsetting circumstances, such as their physical limitations or insensitive comments from others. You can help reduced your loved one’s anger and frustration by letting him know you understand the reasons why he or she feel hurt and upset.
Summary
Post-stroke anger is an emotional disorder common to many stroke survivors. Family members and caregivers must work hard to avoid anything or situation that can trigger anger and frustration on the survivor.
Book to link: Changes in behavior and emotions after stroke- effective ways to manage and overcome them.