Management of Poststroke Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Abstract

Post-stroke neuropsychiatric (NP) disorders are common and have complex etiologies. Multiple factors such as lesion location, personality characteristics, socioeconomic status, pre-stroke psychiatric history, and family support are the determining factors in most cases. Although depression and anxiety are more common, emotional incontinence and catastrophic reactions are also frequently observed. Post-stroke depression (PSD) has been associated with an increased risk of stroke recurrence. Despite its serious consequences and high prevalence, PSD remains undetected and untreated. Treatment options of NP disorders depend on severity, presentation at the time of diagnosis, and patient cooperation, and include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, exercise therapy, psychotherapy, and even revascularization. The efficient management of NP disorders improves outcomes, quality of life, and survival rates in poststroke patients. However, very few studies have identified definitive treatment for these patients; therefore, further research is required.