The effect of aphasia upon personality traits, depression and anxiety among stroke patients

Abstract

BackgroundPost-stroke patients with aphasia have higher levels of psychological distress. We aimed to find the relation between post-stroke aphasia and depression, anxiety and personality traits. MethodsOne month after stroke, 61 consecutive patients with stroke were included in this study. Thirty post-stroke patients with aphasia and 31 patients without aphasia. We used the following scales a clinical-friendly: Aphasic test, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Hamilton anxiety and Beck Depression Inventory. ResultsDepression and anxiety were more prominent among patients with aphasia than stroke without aphasia. Psychosis was more prominent among post-stroke patients with aphasia. LimitationsOur results may not exclusively exclude pre-morbid personality traits. ConclusionsOur study highlights the growing need to develop community rehabilitation services in the developing world, which address both physical and psychological morbidity.