Too many stroke survivors and their families are abandoned when they leave hospital and left without the support they need to help them cope with the emotional impact of stroke. A new report published yesterday (Wednesday 1 May) by the Stroke Association reveals that the emotional impact of the condition can be as devastating as the physical effects.

The charity's report, Feeling Overwhelmed, is based on the findings of a survey(i) of over 2,700 people affected by stroke. While hospital care is rated highly, the emotional strain on survivors and their families when they return home is underestimated and often overlooked by health and social care services, leaving people inadequately supported.

The report findings reveal;
  • Over half of stroke survivors (59%) felt depressed and two thirds (67%) experienced anxiety as a direct result of their stroke. They also reported high levels of fear of a recurrent stroke (63%), anger (48%) and lack of confidence (73%)
  • More than two fifths of stroke survivors (42%) said they felt abandoned after leaving hospital and nearly four fifths (79%) had received no information or practical advice to help them cope with the emotional impact of stroke
    • Stroke can also have a negative impact on relationships. Over half of stroke survivors (53%) have experienced difficulties in their personal relationships with a husband, wife or partner as a result of stroke. Of these nearly three in ten had broken up with their partner or are considering doing so.
Jon Barrick, Chief Executive of the Stroke Association said: "Stroke leaves survivors and families shocked, shaken and anxious as their lives are often irreversibly changed in an instant. There are over one million stroke survivors living in the UK and with an aging population this figure is only set to increase.

"Better recognition by health and social care professionals of the impact of stroke will help people to be properly assessed and get the right support."

The report also reveals that stroke causes an emotional shockwave for carers. They say that the emotional effects of caring are the most difficult aspect to cope with;
  • Nearly eight in ten (79%) experienced anxiety, 84% felt frustrated, 60% are not getting enough sleep and five in ten (56%) reported that they felt depressed
  • Over half reported feeling stressed as a result of being a carer (57%), but this increased to more than two thirds (69%) amongst those who had been caring for seven or more years
  • Over half (56%) said that the relationship with the person who had a stroke had suffered or changed.
Professor Reg Morris, Clinical Psychologist at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board says: "Depression, anxiety and fear of another stroke are common feelings amongst those touched by the condition and in the most extreme cases people can be left feeling suicidal. Better recognition of the emotional effects of stroke by health and social care professionals is essential in order to address the need for integrated psychological support for survivors and their families. We know that with the right emotional, psychological and physical care more stroke survivors will have the opportunity to make their best possible recovery."

The Stroke Association is calling for:
  • Psychological and emotional support to be seen as being as important to recovery as physical rehabilitation and incorporated into the assessment process
  • The emotional needs of stroke survivors to be addressed early which may head off potential psychological problems which can impact on, and delay, recovery
  • The emotional needs of carers to be recognised by health and social care professionals and appropriate support made available to them
  • Information, practical advice and emotional support to be made available to everyone who has had a stroke or is supporting someone affected by stroke.
The report marks the start of Action on Stroke Month 2013. Find out more here.