Post-stroke Depression: Pathologlogy, Diagnosis and Treatment Strategy

Abbreviations: PSDPost stroke depression, WHOWorld Health Organization, DSMDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, BDIBeck Depression Inventory, HADSHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HDRSHamilton Depression Rating Scale, ZSDSZung Self-Rating Depression Scale, HPAhypothalamic pituitary-adrenal, CTcomputed tomography ABSTRACT Post stroke depression is most commonly faced psychiatric challenge, causing severe disability. Post stroke depression (PSD) occurs in nearly one-third patients either during acute/chronic stroke period. It’s often under-diagnosed. A good diagnosis must be done within one month after stroke, based on self-reporting tools, followed by observer-rated interview. Mechanism is multifactorial, presently best supported by biopsychosocial model. Upcoming approaches are genetic based and cytokine theory. About 10% PSD patients face mortality. There is a huge negative biological and psychosocial impact of PSD. Currently, pharmacological and non-pharmacological way-outs are used to manage the PSD. However, precise and timely done evaluation aided by proper therapy and utmost care is also required, under the supervision of a multidisciplinary health team.