Management of post-stroke mood and emotional disturbances

Mood and emotional disturbances are common in stroke patients. Out of diverse post-stroke emotional disturbances, depression, anxiety, emotional incontinence, anger proneness, and fatigue are frequent and important symptoms. These symptoms are distressing for both the patients and their caregivers, and negatively influence the patient's quality of life. The emotional symptoms are not apparent and are therefore often neglected by neurologists. Their phenomenology, predicting factors, and pathophysiology have been under-studied, and are under-recognized. In addition, well-designed clinical trials targeting on these symptoms are rare. Areas covered: This review will describe some of the most common or relevant post-stroke mood and emotional disturbances. The phenomenology, factors or predictors, and presumed etio-pathogenesis will be described. Current pharmacological and non-pharmacological management strategies of these diverse emotional disturbances will be discussed based on different pathophysiological mechanisms. Expert commentary: It is fortunate that these mood and emotional disturbances can be treated by various methods, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy. To administer the appropriate therapy, we must understand the similarities and differences in the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with these emotional symptoms.