Psychological distress after stroke.

Letters Psychological distress after stroke Sir: Various studies have reported the presence of depression in patients affected by stroke; the prevalence rates found in most such research range from 30% to 60%.'-3 However, less data are available on the presence of other types of psychological distress in such patients. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the presence of both depression and other emotional disturbances which may represent specific psychological reactions to stroke; differences between patients who have recently undergone a stroke and those in whom the injury occurred some time ago were also examined. The study was carried out on 30 consecutive patients with unequivocal evidence of cerebrovascular disorder with resultant hemiplegia (13 with lesions of the non-dominant hemisphere, 14 with lesions of the dominant hemisphere and three with bilateral involvement). Seventeen were tested within 45 days of the episode and 13 8-12 months after it. Seven patients who presented a severe global aphasia were excluded from the study. The sample included: 16 men and 14 women, mean age 68-6 years (SD 10-8); 15 were married, 13 widowers/widows and two never married.