Mood disturbance

Mood is frequently affected following a stroke, with depression the most common disturbance. Anxiety and emotional lability or pseudobulbar affect, involving rapid mood fluctuations or uncontrollable outbursts of emotion (such as laughing to crying) without cause, can also occur, either separately or in combination. Personality and behavioural changes, such as irritability, aggression, perseveration, adynamia and apathy, disinhibition, impulsivity and lack of insight, are also common, and can cause problems for community participation and family and carers.

For current research and evidence-based recommendations see our Clinical Guidelines.