The Impact of Strokes on Personality: Understanding Changes and Coping Strategies

Between 1970 and 1987, I suffered 15 hemorrhagic strokes, and after undergoing a craniotomy to remove a brain AVM, I encountered individuals who told me that I had remained unchanged. I strongly disagree with this claim. The extent of personality changes following a stroke can vary greatly depending on individual emotional reactions to the stroke and subsequent disabilities, as well as the specific area of the brain affected.

Factors Influencing Personality Changes Post-Stroke

The Universal Medical Answer applies here: it varies. There are two primary factors to consider when evaluating personality changes following a stroke:

How the individual emotionally reacts to the stroke and any resulting disabilities. The part of the brain that is affected during the stroke.

It is not uncommon for individuals to experience initial feelings of depression, anxiety, or irritability, which can often be alleviated with the help of a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

Examples of Positive Personality Changes Post-Stroke

There have been instances where the aftermath of a stroke has unexpectedly resulted in positive personality changes. Let me share two cases:

Two men who were known as troublesome individuals to their wives prior to the stroke. After the stroke and with partial disability, they transformed into charming, caring husbands that brought joy and positivity to their families. These men’s lives were a source of delight until they passed away. A woman who had a stroke and widespread cancer but no pain or cares. She remained perpetually cheerful until her death in her sleep, indicating that the stroke may have alleviated her previous negative outlook.

The Importance of Brain Function in Personality Changes

The extent of personality change following a stroke depends largely on the area of the brain damaged. People who lose some left-brain function may become happier than before, while those who lose right brain function may experience less joy.

For a deeper understanding of these changes, I recommend reading Jill Bolte Taylor’s book My Stroke of Insight, although she didn’t suffer a stroke herself, her narrative offers valuable insights into hemispheric brain injury. Serious reading on strokes and brain injury is beneficial for grasping the complexities involved.

Coping with Significant Changes

The changes experienced by individuals following a stroke can be profound and challenging. My father, despite his difficult personality and alcoholism, showed significant changes after each stroke. His usual grumpiness and easily frustrated nature added to the difficulty of managing his condition. It is crucial to be understanding, share the load as much as possible, and remind them that they have had a stroke, making many tasks challenging.

Some people may lose control of their natural inhibitions and become openly hostile around certain subjects such as race, money, politics, and various other topics. The best approach is to be patient, share your humor, and continue to be understanding.

Strategies for Emotional and Physical Well-Being

Anti-depressants can be very helpful in managing the emotional aspects of stroke recovery. Playing the music popular during the person's younger days can be relaxing and soothing. Watching familiar movies and bringing a pet to visit can also bring joy. Encourage your loved one to recall as many happy memories as possible and avoid dwelling on negative aspects.

Establishing a good routine with some physical activities is beneficial for both the individual's well-being and can maintain a positive attitude. Maintaining a sense of humor can make this journey less stressful for everyone involved.