Low Mood after a stroke
Date issued: August 2022
For review: August 2024
Ref: C-396/DN/Ward/Low mood after a stroke v2
PDF: Low mood after a stroke final April 2020.pdf[pdf] 140KB
What is low mood?
Feeling sad or low in your mood is common after having a stroke. Nearly 1 in 3 people will feel low in the first year after having had a stroke. A stroke can be a big life changing event, and so feeling low is a normal reaction to an extremely stressful life experience.
Sadness is a normal and healthy emotion. However, when people experience sadness for a long time, and it affects their life, this is what some people call ‘depression’. When people feel very depressed, sometimes it can be a good idea to ask for support from professionals.
People with Depression often:
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Find it difficult to enjoy activities.
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Feel like a burden or that they have let people down.
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Have no motivation and feel like giving up.
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Sleep and eat too much or too little.
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Have a lot of unhappy thoughts going through their head.
What can I do to feel better?
Breathing Techniques
If you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed with negative emotions, you could try using breathing techniques to help reduce physical sensations caused by worry such as, a fast heart rate or a nervous stomach. Take a breath in for 4 seconds (through the nose if possible). Hold the breath for 2 seconds. Release the breath taking 6 seconds (through the nose if possible), then pause slightly before breathing in again.
*If you have any pre-existing respiratory problems then please check with nursing staff before trying this breathing technique *
Mindfulness
If your mind is racing with worrying thoughts, mindfulness can help to centre you in the present moment and distract you. Try shutting your eyes or focussing on something and relax your shoulders. Imagine you are sitting by a stream, as leaves float down the stream, place any thoughts or images on the leaf and watch them float down the stream, if they come back again then place them back on the leaf. Or, try noticing 5 things around you that you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste. Really notice these senses. Practise practise!
Talk to us:
Although the ward can sometimes be a busy place, all staff on Acute Stroke Ward (ASU) are here to listen if you ever feel like talking about how you are feeling. Help us to understand if there is something specific that is making you stressed or worried, and we will try to help.
Whilst you are on ASU, we are looking after all aspects of your physical health and mental health.
Medication:
There are medications to help people who feel low in mood. If you are interested in this, speak to your nurse or doctor and they will give you advice.
Psychology:
If you are feeling very low most days, then a member of our psychology team can offer some time to sit and speak with you. Please let the ASU staff know if you would like to see a member of the psychology team.
At Home
Many people who have had a stroke will feel low whilst they are adjusting.
However, if you still feel very low after you have settled back in at home or in the community, then it is important to discuss this with your GP.
The Stroke Association:
Tel: 01752 664553
Different Strokes:
