2 weeks before my friends 26th birthday, she suffered a MASSIVE brainstem stroke. After 3 months in the hospital, she came out, unable to walk or speak clearly, but 100% the same person inside. She is doing much better as far as talking and moving (she is paralized on her right side), but she is severely depressed. The hospital had her on anti-depressents, but took her off of them, and according to her mother she doesn't feel like her speech is good enough to go to therapy (the therapy and meds were my suggestion). I feel horrible for her, obviously for what happened, but mostly for the fact that I absolutely cannot fathom not being able to walk freely, or say what is on her mind. It is heartbreaking. So my question is.....what can I do to help her feel better about herself? When she is not in physical therapy, she sits on a recliner and watches TV. Her mom is single and has to work long hours and all of her friends have jobs and school, etc. Please help me think of something....
2006-08-02 19:18:42 · 5 answers · asked by Fiona W 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
I am curious what caused the stroke. I have brain stem based TIAs caused by APS. It frustration as heck not to be able to get words out or find them.
Well, I think she needs to get into PT and OT. She may not be able to talk again with her voice but she may get some sort of communication board or computer voice thing going so she is able to communicate. The computer may be a way to communicate for now. Open a word document and let her type what she wants to say. Reading a book, doing a crossword puzzle or word find. Things that exercise the brain.
I would also talk to her mom about pushing to get back on the antidepressants. Strokes can cause depression from a chemical imbalance and then sitting around and not being able to do anything is just adding to the depression.
Maybe to range of motion exercises with her. Recognize small progresses.
Thank you for being a good friend to her. Please talk to her mom about therapy and antidepressants. Maybe a home CNA needs to come in to work with her?
2006-08-03 03:38:53 · answer #1 · answered by hello 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
does she have a pet? Sometimes a little ball of fur will bring out the will to try harder...if she doesn't have one, ask her mother first, if it's okay, go find the smallest kitten...or dog even...they are still in need of dependancy...you could tell her i found this kitten in a box in the middle of the road and i can't take her...the little devil in disquise sort of thing might just do the trick...you can also try aromatherapy and music therapy too.
I used to work in a nursing home that had what we call the "Eden" experience...live plants, animals of all kinds, music and scents and it lessoned recovery time and the need for medications.
you can certainly help her by visiting and doing exersizes with her, no matter how small the movements seem to be.
the longer she sits without movement, the harder it will be for her to get going again.
you could also give her a bit of tough love...tell her if she doesn't start helping herself, your going to have to quit your job and haunt her until she does. this will show her how serious it is that you wish her to continue to be a friend and may get her back on her feet.
stroke victims always have some extent of depression and this is something that is caused by lack of oxygen and trauma to the brain. sometimes they may never fully recover to their pre-stroke days, but you can help!
She can be who she was before physically with a little push in the right direction...sometimes you just have to find that right "something". (i'd go for the kitten story myself) as sometimes the smallest package is the greatest gift.
2006-08-03 07:57:08 · answer #2 · answered by giggling.willow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mother had a stroke, and her doctor had her on mild anti-depressants for a couple of years. He said they would help keep her from getting depressed and discouraged. She is doing great now. I'm not a big believer in drugs, but in this case, someone should ask your friend's doctor about it. Other than that, would she like it if you read to her? Does she like music? Board games? Stimulating the mind is always a good thing. I wish her the best.
2006-08-02 21:18:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i went through a similar situation in that my best friend got into a really bad car accident and was in a coma for the longest 2 weeks of my life.. when he got out of it, he was really depressed to cuz he cudnt speak as well and walk well.. what i did was act as though nothing had changed.. we still hung out, watched movies, laughed and etc. i tried to keep his mind off of what actually happened.. i also avoided any topic that might lead back to his accident.. be by her side, make her laugh.. little things will count, believe me.. now he's totally back to normal ^^ (hope that helps and i hope you friend gets better)
2006-08-02 19:24:10 · answer #4 · answered by the1_N_oNLy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell her to blaze a fatty.
2006-08-02 19:22:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋