Introduction to Stroke

What causes a stroke? A stroke occurs when there is a disruption in the general flow of blood to the brain. Because the brain is responsible for controlling a person’s behavior and emotions, it is common to notice some social and personality changes in individuals who suffer from a stroke.

The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic provides stroke screening, management, and prevention programs aimed at treating various issues caused by stroke. Our stroke specialist, Dr. Manish Taneja will work closely with you to create a personalized solution based on your unique needs.

The post will examine how a stroke can cause social and personality changes and some of the treatment options available to patients.

Social Changes After Stroke

After a stroke, it is common for stroke survivors to experience some social changes that heavily impact their behavior. Some individuals can face difficulties in reading different social interactions, like how they are expected to behave around certain people. Some stroke survivors might exhibit strange behaviors such as interrupting people while they’re speaking, standing too close to people, and not responding appropriately to other people’s body language.

Post stroke, some individuals may find it challenging to make informed decisions and this might result in them making insensitive remarks or acting impulsively, which means that they can’t make sound financial decisions. Other individuals may lose their inhibitions and this might make them crave more physical intimacy or make inappropriate comments.

Personality Changes after Stroke

Stroke survivors may lose interest in some hobbies, become more anxious, and in some cases cry or laugh uncontrollably. Some of these personality changes might seem upsetting not only to them but also to their loved ones. Below are some of the personality changes some individuals might experience after a stroke:

• Aggression, irritability and anger: A stroke can impact the frontal lobe of the brain that is responsible for controlling emotions. This might result in an individual becoming angry after slight provocation or responding aggressively to small issues.
• Anxiety: After a stroke, a person might suffer from anxiety disorders, and this can significantly affect their ability to perform daily tasks.
• Depression: A study found that approximately 30% of stroke victims experience depression five years after experiencing a stroke.
• Impulsive: If a stroke affected the frontal lobe or the right side of the brain, it is common for an individual to become more impulsive. Some stroke survivors may sometimes overshare, ignore danger or overindulge in certain activities.

Stroke Diagnosis

Diagnosis of personality and social changes post-stroke is only possible through screening. Diagnosis involves clinical evaluation where a stroke victim is provided with a questionnaire. The questionnaire seeks to examine if the individuals exhibits depression symptoms, experiences decreased energy levels, suffers from a decline in concentration or experienced changes in eating habits. 

Read our “Stroke Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment: A Complete Guide” blog post to stay informed about the types of stroke, symptoms, screening, diagnosis, treatment options, stroke management, and more. Anyone is capable of having a stroke, but the chances increase if you have certain stroke risk factors, some which are preventable and some which are not. Call 9-9-5 or get to the nearest emergency room immediately if you or a loved one are experiencing stroke symptoms. 

Stroke Treatment

The good news is that there are treatments for stroke survivors who suffer from social and personality changes. Treatment includes therapies that aim to treat their anxiety, depression and improve their emotional state. Below are some of the common treatments available:

• Psychotherapy: The type of treatment aims to help stroke victims cope with their social and personality changes.
• Medication: Medication might be necessary if a loved one is diagnosed with vascular dementia, frontal lobe damage or pseudobulbar affect. Medication can help improve behavioral changes linked to biological alterations.
• Healthy food: Consuming healthy foods can help in stroke recovery. Some brain-boosting fatty acids can help in brain recovery and in managing personality and social changes.
• Meditation: Meditation is known to help in dealing with social and personality changes such as impulsiveness.

The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic’s Comprehensive Stroke Treatments in Singapore

The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic provides a full spectrum of neurointerventional treatments that seek to deal with stroke-related issues. Dr. Manish Taneja also offers world-class care and treatment for brain aneurysms, vascular malformation affecting the neck and head and any behavioral changes caused by a stroke. Contact us today to see how we can help you on your stroke journey with our programs including stroke screening, management, and prevention.

Stroke Resources

We’ve Got You Covered for Specialized Stroke Screening, Prevention, and Management

Imagine heart attacks where the blood flow to your heart is blocked. Similarly, a stroke occurs when the blood flow to your brain is interrupted becoming a “brain attack”. When blood supply does not reach a certain part, brain cells begin to die. Different types of stroke include ischemic strokes (blockage of blood vessel due to blood clot) or a mini stroke, a TIA (transient ischemic attack), with no permanent damage yet serious. Stroke also occurs when a blood vessel in the brain pops causing bleeding in the brain.

Certain areas of the brain can be affected by stroke and some symptoms of a stroke including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood sugar levels increase the risk of stroke whereas an active lifestyle or controlling high cholesterol reduces the risk. How well do you know stroke? Find tips to prevent and manage stroke, the differences in stroke screening tests, and the newer technology and treatments available. 

Brain Aneurysms and Stroke Risk

Areas of the Brain Affected by Stroke

Supreme Vascular and Interventional Stroke Programs

Other Health Conditions

Venous Diseases (Varicose Veins)

The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your “go-to” facility for various neurological conditions and treatments. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our neurointervention specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.