Personality and behaviour changes in stroke patients: a career's view

ABSTRACT

This study examined psychological sequelae of stroke as viewed by the carers. Carers were asked to rate both the current and premorbid personality of patients on an 18 5-point bipolar adjective checklist. The carers were also interviewed to assess the patient on seven categries of symptoms [after McKinlay et al. 1981]. Stroke patients were frequently reported to be showing personality changes and these changes were in a negative direction on both occasions. According to carers' rating the patient's personality worsened over time. Patients were also reported to manifest emotional, subjective, behaviour and memory problems. The implications of the findings are discussed with refernce to rehabilitation of stroke patients