[Post-stroke psychological pain: presentation of therapeutic support through artistic mediation]

The subjective experience of stroke in the elderly, as well as the specific support it requires, remains insufficiently explored. While much attention has been given to the psychopathological manifestations frequently observed post-stroke (such as mood disorders, agitation, and aggression), there is a risk that the potential role of the psychological dynamics may be overshadowed by a more direct symptomatic reading of the cerebral lesion. Nevertheless, stroke represents a significant existential disruption, a somatic and psychological experience whose sequelae and resulting psychological suffering profoundly impact quality of life. The aim of this article is to outline certain consequences of stroke on the psychological organization and the ways in which the individual experiences and appropriates this event. It will be shown that, alongside functional and cognitive impairments, there are multiple losses of individual and social supports that further destabilize the subject, thereby heightening vulnerability. With a commitment to supporting the psychological life of these individuals, we have implemented a therapeutic intervention in our clinical practice through drawing mediation, aimed at facilitating communication and fostering new forms of expression. Using a single-case study approach, we present the therapeutic process applied to a brain-injured nursing home resident exhibiting behavioral disorders, and its impact on the emergence of a psychological dynamic conducive to emotional relief.