How to Manage Emotional Outbursts After Stroke

[@9iwthyh6]

Thanks so much for addressing an issue that isn’t talked about much. My occupational therapist called it “emotional lability”. Once she explained that it was a thing I felt better and was able to explain my condition to others as I didn’t want others to feel they had caused my crying. I would cry or laugh so hard that I couldn’t talk or breath. Eighteen months after the stroke my swings are not so broad. Although watching Field of Dreams was unbearable. I couldn’t explain what was making me cry. What once was a thought of “well, that was sad” is now an inappropriate crying jag. I have no volume control. I go from 0 to 60 in a blink! It’s embarrassing. But it’s better now. Don’t give up. Your friends will understand, if they don’t, they’re not your friend. HaHa. Give them time.

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@allenstorey, You are so welcome! It's sometimes easier to deal with a problem when you realize you're not "just overemotional!" There are actual neurological reasons people have those emotional responses after a stroke. Knowing that you're not "going crazy" can start the journey of feeling better about it. I'm glad it's gotten a little better for your over time! And thank you for sharing your words of motivation and hope to others who see these comments ❤️

[@josephinegithinji5400]

This is so powerful. I never knew what was wrong with me after my stroke, I would cry uncontrollably. Now I know. Thank you and God bless you for what you do.

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@josephinegithinji, I'm so glad I could help explain! 😊

[@frankspina6004]

Great overlooked topic. Crazy as it sounds in rehab therapy we would play music. I requested a Pearl Jam song. Immediately upon hearing it I broke down in tears. Remembered better times. I now am almost fully recovered from my stroke. It gets better. Keep working at recovery.

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@frankspina6004 Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Music can be incredibly powerful in many contexts ❤️

[@rochellejohnson6696]

Thank you very much. I had to tell people that I can't handle their stress anymore cannot be over excited or to stressed out.

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@rochellejohnson, I'm glad you felt empowered enough to share what you need! ❤️

[@fiftytwentythree]

I experienced the same issues. I would cry at things that I wouldn't normally cry at. I just chalked it up to my stroke. I would never cry for long. Maybe only a few minutes. A quick cry. Boo-hoo, and then I'm done. I also had panic attacks before my stroke, and after, they were much worse. My stroke affected my balance, and descending stairs gives me very bad vertigo, and I panic. So, I try to stay away from those situations where I panic if I can.

[@underdgk9]

Daily meditation and breath work is also very helpful! Thanks for the fantastic videos.

[@TorgerVedeler]

This is so helpful. Thank you. Always remember that surviving a stroke teaches you who your real friends are. Never be afraid to let toxic people go.

[@realfixesrealfast]

Great explanation on a topic that is typically usually avoided. This is hard for patients to understand and deal with. (Personal experience). AND even harder for caregivers to understand and know how to react to. You gave good tips for patients, but as most therapists, you ignored the caregivers. I would like to see a follow up video addressing the same topic with tips for caregivers.

[@PostStrokeOrg]

Thanks for your comment and sharing a bit of your experience. My videos are geared toward addressing stroke survivors themselves, but I appreciate the recommendation and will take that into account for future videos!

[@gailsmith938]

Thank you. Your voice is very soothing. I found this video while trying to calm myself. Thanks for the helpful tips

[@joshporter8286]

I still deal with this after 2 years

[@sarahpollock4807]

Please talk about involuntary movement and how to stop it

[@megangardner2766]

Thank you! Do you know what triggers me? Questions! Too many questions- exhausting! Agitates me! This is new btw..I’ve explained this to my carers and a friend or two. Conversation requires questions, carers need direction - so it sounds a bit unreasonable! Hopefully my brain will cope better - rather than getting overloaded. I’m less than 2 months in. Medulla infraction…

[@davidmarks509]

I cry too, but its not bad and I feel better afterwoods. Thanks for the video.

[@cyrilblanchard1938]

yes its all true I have that since my stroke............watch all your content as of late.........Manitoba,Canada

[@clivekempson4411]

Such a great topic, something that I have had issues with along the way and still struggle with regularly. Thanks Elyse

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@clivekempson, thank you for sharing! ❤️

[@clivekempson2236]

I can relate to the emotions or lack of emotional control

[@greg9255]

Thank you for this video Elise I cry a lot after the stroke and I always wondered why sometimes a song or a part in a movie or TV show and I'll just start crying but I'm like wait I never wanted to cry before so I figured it had to be the stroke now with your knowledge and information I know what it is thank you for being so dedicated and driven to help and see us get better thank you once again I appreciate it#poststroke

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@gregoryhancock, Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I know that's not always easy to do. You are so welcome ❤️ I'm glad you finally have an answer to why this has been happening.

[@legendary8838]

I was very emotional especially the first few months I was watching Titanic and wanted to cry when Jack died. My ex wife refuses to communicate with me with our kids because I was so angry towards her in the beginning and she didn’t realize the changes I was experiencing mentally

[@PostStrokeOrg]

Emotional changes can be really difficult for people who are outside of the situation to understand. And especially to understand that they are normal. I'm sorry you experienced that and hope that your emotions have evened out a bit ❤️

[@zeezeejax8560]

Overstimulation is a huge trigger for me. I could be from driving / crowds / loud restrurants / family talking all at once / a family member talking to much i cant keep up. Removing myself has been my go to, and works best for me. It just seems like its taken as rude, even by those who know why i do it. Ive learned when i start to feel it, and it usually starts as a sevier pressure in my head, its better for me walk away. Its best if i can find a dark, quiet place away from stimulation, to close my eyes for 20 or so minutes and let my brain rest. Its been over a year for me now , and i still am finding triggers. Still dont know why i can switch from sadness to anger in a blink without relizing it. Or why emotions hurt my head so bad, but i do alot better not lashing out. Thanks for your videos. When i dont understand whats going on, its nice to find im not alone through your videos.

[@jessicacarrasco6898]

I feel the same pressure in my head and that makes the overstimulation worse. Im going to tell my neuro doctor when i see him soon

[@segoviaone]

Thanks for the coping strategies.

[@tinathaotran6535]

Thank you so much for your advice. It really helps me a lot.💕💕💕

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@tinathaotran, You are so welcome! 😊 I'm so glad

[@minutofgroundhog]

I have PBA , it has diminished greatly, I still cry while watching certain TV shows. My granddaughter gets a kick out of it, she is always eyeing me for tears.

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@kylemengel, I'm glad it's gotten quite a bit better! Oh my, at least someone is having fun haha

[@KBabywolf27]

I'm gonna use that distraction technique of envisioning going straight into downward dog out in public. Lol.

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@kbabywolf27, hahaha I love it!

[@d0lby67]

Thanks, great information 👍❤️

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@robbierees, So welcome! 😊

[@rickygurrobat7503]

thanks for the info I thought it was the hypothalamus area of the brain that was affected

[@hemasookram4655]

I cried at the end of a cartoon. This is extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing I only leave my home when I go to the grocery now.

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@hemasookram, Emotional changes can be so challenging. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this issue.

[@hemasookram4655]

My husband makes fun of me when I can’t stop crying. He still doesn’t get it

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@hemasookram, I'm so sorry to hear this. Maybe share this video with him to help him better understand?

[@hemasookram4655]

I truly believe he doesn't care

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@hemasookra,, I'm so, so sorry.

[@CarlosRodriguez-yw6iz]

Pass a year my tingling still on I'm take Gabapentin to lessen that feeling so this feeling is going a way in some point? oh i has to live with that the rest of my life?

[@CarlosRodriguez-yw6iz]

Pass a year my tingling still on I'm take Gabapentin to lessen that feeling so this feeling is going a way in some point? oh i has to live with that the rest of my life? I was working in maintenance moving all day having really frustrated

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@carlosrodriguez, I'm sorry you're dealing with those sensory issues. I'd recommend having this conversation with your doctor or neurologist, as they know your specific situation much better than I do!

[@mrstevek118]

What about when you don’t feel any emotion when you should is this normal for a stroke survivor

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@stevekierstead, It's hard to say exactly without directly talking with you. That can sometimes come along with depression or it may be the result of where in the brain the stroke happened. If it's concerning you, reach out to your neurologist or PCP! ❤️ I'm sorry you're dealing with this.

[@mrstevek118]

@@PostStrokeOrg okay it was probably depression then. At my father’s funeral I hardly felt any emotion at all. Everyone was saying to me how strong I was for my mom by holding it together, but deep inside I was falling apart

[@mrstevek118]

@@PostStrokeOrg ya seems like I don’t have any emotions, I don’t feel happy or sad I can’t get excited about anything. When a situation comes up that I should be. I try to fake it so nobody gets suspicious that something is wrong

[@sajanninan4520]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@Daniel-uo8ee]

Please send me a pocket guide

[@judygau7455]

Yes the meltdowns were often. Can you do a sessions weight gain.

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@judygau7455 Do you mean a video on how why weight gain happens after a stroke or how to lose weight after a stroke? Or something else?

[@judygau7455]

@ both.

[@johndempster2288]

utter pish

[@333btd]

no science here, sorry

[@PostStrokeOrg]

@YL, While most studies focus on medical management of PBA (Nuedexta and SSRIs), there have been articles published by the Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pseudobulbar-affect/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353741) and Cleveland Clinic (my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17928-pseudobulbar-affect-pba) on these types of behavioral interventions for PBA. There was also a qualitative study published in the Journal of Patient Experience on how education helped patients with PBA to better manage and cope with their symptoms. While the sample size was small, the findings are still important. The researchers discussed that patients who engaged in distraction, relaxation strategies, and educating caregivers boosted their confidence in the ability to self-manage their PBA symptoms. Check out that study here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2374373519899597