Working with a therapist or counselor can greatly help you learn to identify and manage aggressive behaviors after stroke. Just like learning a new physical skill, in order to regain the ability to control your emotions, you need to practice. ![]() This process does not happen automatically and instead requires repetitive, dedicated effort. Through neuroplasticity, different areas of the brain can “pick up the slack” and take on lost functions. However, there is still hope for survivors of stroke, even if this does not occur.ĭuring stroke recovery, the brain attempts to heal itself after the injury through the process of neuroplasticity. More studies are needed to determine the likelihood of spontaneous recovery for aggressive behavior after stroke. This means that as the brain recovers and heals, negative behaviors or impairments may resolve automatically. Many side effects experienced during the acute stage of stroke, like combative or aggressive behavior, go away on their own – a phenomenon called spontaneous recovery. ![]() Overcoming Aggressive Behavior After Stroke Long-term personality changes can improve with time and appropriate treatment. While it’s unknown how long aggressive behavior after stroke may last, there is hope for recovery. Some cases do persist, however, depending on the area of the brain affected. Learning more about your specific injury can help you and your caregiver understand your unique symptoms.Ĭombative or aggressive behavior after stroke will often resolve as the survivor transitions out of the acute phase. The area of the brain affected by stroke has significant implications on the secondary effects you may experience, such as anger or aggressive behavior. It is very important to ask your neurologist about the location of your stroke. Furthermore, noxious (negative) stimulation from the environment can contribute to combative and aggressive behavior after stroke. For example, damage to the brain after stroke may inhibit the brain’s serotonin system, increasing the prevalence of angry or aggressive behavior. When the frontal lobe is damaged, it can affect emotional regulation and lead to aggressive or combative behavior after stroke.Īdditionally, recent research performed by Kim suggests anger and aggressive behavior after stroke can be triggered by neurochemical dysfunction as well as unfavorable environments. Kim explains that when stroke affects the frontal lobe, lenticulocapsular, or pontine base areas, emotional incontinence (inability to control emotion) is more likely to be a side effect. This is because the frontal lobe in particular plays a role in reasoning, problem solving, and controlling basic impulses like anger. Understanding where the stroke occurred has implications for injury-caused aggression or combative behavior after stroke. Kim, MD, explains that aggressive behavior after stroke is more likely a symptom of brain injury rather than reactive behavior. But what exactly causes aggression after stroke? Research suggests this is due to a combination of factors, which we will discuss next. ![]() Understandably, these behaviors can be distressing for both the survivor and their caregiver or family. Additionally, aggressive behaviors after stroke can also be verbal in nature and include screaming, refusal of treatment, and muttering of unkind or hostile words. This combative or aggressive behavior can include physical behaviors such as hitting, kicking, biting, and throwing objects. Based on these findings, aggressive behavior after stroke is likely to occur during the first few days or weeks after the onset of stroke. Furthermore, 37% of angry stroke patients were severely angry. In a study of 202 acute stroke patients, anger was present in 35% of patients. ![]() During this acute phase, the focus of treatment is minimizing damage to the brain and stabilizing the individual by addressing urgent medical complications.Īggressive behavior after stroke has been found to occur frequently in the acute stage of recovery. The timeline of the acute phase varies, usually ranging from the first 24 hours to several weeks after the onset of stroke. Early Stages of Aggressive Behavior After StrokeĪcute stroke marks the early phase during or following stroke when the brain is still swollen. We will also discuss treatment methods and management techniques for survivors of stroke and their caregivers. In this article we will review the acute stage of recovery as well as different causes of combative or aggressive behavior after stroke. This gives rise to many questions for both survivors and caregivers, such as “How long does aggressive behavior last?” and “What treatments are available?” This can be a temporary phase or, in some cases, can be long-lasting and a sign of damage to specific areas of the brain. Combative or aggressive behavior after stroke is a negative secondary effect frequently observed in survivors, especially in the acute stage of recovery.
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