Co-Occurrence of Depression with Stroke
September 23rd, 2005 by RespiteMatch.comAwareness and Treatment Can Improve Overall Health and Reduce Suffering Facts on Depression
After a Stroke
There are currently about 3 million stroke survivors in the US, and each year an additional 400,000-550,000 people will suffer a stroke. Clinical depression affects about 10 percent of the general population and is significantly more common in stroke survivors, occurring in between 10-27 percent of them.
Unfortunately, the co-occurring depression is often unrecognized. However, treating post-stroke depression can improve patient health in several ways. The average duration of major depression in stroke patients is just under a year. An additional 15-40 percent of stroke survivors will have some of the symptoms of depression within two months following the stroke. Early diagnosis and treatment of co-occurring depression are important because this second illness interferes with rehabilitation and family relationships, and reduces quality of life.
Treating Depression Has Many Benefits Studies show that post-stroke patients who are depressed, particularly those with major depression, are less compliant with treatment, are more irritable and demanding (making care and rehabilitation more difficult), and may experience personality changes that disrupt family relationships.
Research also shows that treating depression can shorten rehabilitation time, leading to more rapid recovery and resumption of routine. Treatment may also reduce health costs, for example, by shortening or avoiding nursing home stays.
Depression is Often Undiagnosed and Untreated
Depression in stroke survivors goes unrecognized for several reasons. If symptoms are not assessed for their severity and duration, they may be dismissed as the temporary low mood that is a common reaction to stroke. Or some of the depressive symptoms may be
