Transcript: There are over 5 million stroke survivors in the United States, and almost all of them experience emotional changes following their strokes. Let’s look at some coping mechanisms. Having a stroke can affect the parts of the brain that deal with emotions and social interaction. This can be difficult for survivors, as well as family and friends, but understanding emotional disorders can help. Involuntary Emotional Expression Disorder, or I.E.E.D, is a medical condition that causes sudden, unpredictable emotional displays, like crying jags or laughing outbursts. I.E.E.D occurs when an injury…like a stroke…disrupts brain signaling, causing a loss of control over the emotional centers. The result is inappropriate emotional outbursts, such as laughing during a work presentation, or crying at a comedy club. Also known as Pseudobulbar Affect, the disease impacts over 1 million Americans, many of them stroke-survivors.  I.E.E.D has no approved cure, but it can help to be open about having the condition, and work with a doctor or therapist to deal with unexpected outbursts. It is also comforting to realize that I.E.E.D may diminish with time. After a stroke, most survivors suffer some levels of depression. Sometimes the depression goes away on its own, but, medication and counseling are frequently needed. Many anti-depressants, such as Zoloft and Prozac, are available to treat stroke induced depression.  Apathy is different from depression. A person with this condition doesn’t seem to care about anything, including rehabilitation. The best response to apathy is not to accept it. Get a stroke survivor up and moving by offering them choices of what to do—but make it clear that staying in bed is not one of them! Other commonly experienced emotional extremes are bouts of  anxiety and panic. Therapy, in conjunction with a group of drugs called benzodiazepines, can help reduce these symptoms. Benzodiazepines act on the GABA receptor in the central nervous system to combat the anxiety response and inhibit panic attacks. Valium and Klonopin are both popular benzodiazepine options. After a stroke, some people may want to be alone all the time. However, socializing with family and friends is an important part of rehabilitation. Joining a support group allows a survivor to interact with other people who understand what it’s like to have had a stroke. It’s also a great way to meet new friends.  The emotional challenges that survivors face after a stroke are huge. However, with proper rehabilitation, good care, and a strong support network, the prospect for recovery is great.