1. 10 rolling inspiration March / April 2013
Anger
Anxiety
Guilt
FearFrustration
sadness
The term ‘stroke’ denotes a
neurological disturbance after
bleeding in the brain, which results
in loss of movement, control,
strength and reaction times. Other
after-effects include spasticity of the
limbs, loss of feeling, vision and
speech difficulties and loss of body
awareness.
Strokes can be minor (a transient
ischaemic attack), or major
(haemorragic or ischaemic stroke). A
haemorragic stroke refers to a blood
vessel in the brain that is either
leaking or has burst, while an
ischaemic stroke means a blockage in
an artery leading to the brain.
Implications of a stroke
The social and emotional
implications of a stroke for the patient
and family are the concern of the
health care social worker, who may be
involved at all stages of rehabilitation.
Subtle or significant changes mean
awareness and acceptance of the new
situation, as well as some adjustments
in family lifestyle.
Each family member will need to
accept and respond in a supportive
way to: personality changes, loss of
pride and dignity, frustration,
mobility issues which necessitate
acquiring a barrier-free home, role
reversal with accompanying new
responsibilities and financial stress.
A stroke patient sheds tears easily
and this is a result of brain trauma,
and not necessarily an emotional
upset. I often suggest to the family
that they continue the conversation,
and acknowledge the tears without
making a fuss. However, if depression
is suspected, the family should
consult a mental health professional.
Thus, my preferred helping
modality is family therapy because:
• A high anxiety level makes it
difficult to take in new
information.
• A stroke can arouse strong
emotions about past events and
relationships and having the
family group present assists in
keeping issues current and
focused.
I advise that the concerns of the
stroke patient should not be allowed
to block out the needs of other family
members. As an example, young
children may develop symptoms and
attitudes that they cannot easily
explain and this calls for discussion,
explanation and encouragement. The
focus should not be on the stroke
victim alone, but on the whole family,
as the stroke effects everyone.
In order to facilitate an
understanding of stroke-related
personality changes, I use the term
‘hibernation’.
Hibernation is intended to convey
that the individual is drawing on
inner resources to assist with the
healing process, and to help the stroke
patient through a crisis, rather than
isolating themselves from loved ones.
It is used to ease any feelings of
being rejected by the family members,
and it is my opinion that depression
does not fully describe the intensity
and purpose of the withdrawal.
Family members can help their
loved one by providing
encouragement, celebrating
improvements and letting the
survivor do as much as possible
independently. Caregivers and other
family and friends can reassure stroke
survivors that they are wanted,
needed and important to them.
Stroke
StrokeThe role of the
health care social worker
Ruth Katz specialises in helping clients who suffer from
moodswings that they do not understand.
A Social Worker and mental health professional for
over thirty years, Ruth combines both her professional
and personal insight, having experienced both poles of
Bipolar Mood Disorder. She has successfully used brain
research techniques and tools to overcome feelings of
loneliness and alienation in her own life and would like
to share these with others. rodruth@mweb.co.za