[Stroke is a catastrophe for the patient--how does nursing care meet the needs of younger patients?]

A stroke is a crisis. However, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual aspects of this illness are not described in nursing literature. Nursing interventions focus on the rehabilitation of physical impairment and speech problems. This article examines emotional aspects of a stroke. A comparison of these aspects as described in nursing literature and from psychological literature about crisis and coping illustrates the emotional side of a stroke. Through this comparison it becomes evident that a lack of knowledge, particularly in nursing in Germany, exists. Further, the situation of the 25% of people who have a stroke and who are still in the working process, is not described in the nursing literature. In order to be able to provide physical and emotional care for these people we need not only adequate conditions but also scientifically proved knowledge and concepts that fit practice needs.