- The frequency of depression is around 33% within the first 12 months following a stroke.
- Research has indicated that abnormal mood impedes rehabilitation.
- Depression is associated with increased mortality at 12 months post stroke.
- Diagnosis of depression is a complex task following stroke due to the significant overlap of physical and cognitive consequences of stroke.
- Depression is not an inevitable long term consequence of stroke and much can be done to help those who have a depressive episode.
- Severity of mood disturbance is associated with severity of cognitive and physical impairment and sometimes, but not always, there is a decrease in level of depression as a person gains function.
- There is no conclusive evidence that the onset of depression is associated with one particular type of stroke.
- SIGN 118 (2010) and RCP (2016) recommend that all stroke patients should be screened for mood disturbance.
- SIGN 118
- Royal College of Physicians
Page last reviewed: 25 Feb 2020
