Post-Stroke Depresion and Anxiety

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical features of depression and the relationship between depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Material and methods: 93 patients with stroke were examined, of whom 59 men (39-83 years) and 34 women (56-87 years), mean age 66.8 years. We used Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and GAD-7. Results: Depressive disorder in the acute phase after stroke was found in approximately 2/3 (64.5%) of patients with stroke, with mild to moderate depressive disorders with low mood, increased mental and somatic anxiety, insomnia , somatic complaints, with extravagant hypochondriac thoughts. In our study we found significant positive correlation between depressive disorders and generalized anxiety disorders – and increase of severity of depressive disorders was followed by increase of severity of generalized anxiety disorders. We found high comorbidity between depression and generalized anxiety disorder.

Symptoms of post-stroke depression

“…Particular interest arises in the mutual relation of the damages of certain brain structures and the neurotransmitter's disturbed balance (15,16). Researchers suggest the existence of neuroanatomic and pathophysiological conditions for the development of affective disorders involving neurochemical changes in the post-stroke period (17).…”