Complete change of character after a stroke?

Question

My dad is 63 years old and doesn't take very good care of himself. He has had a stroke a few months back. A few years earlier he had an aneurysm near his heart, after which he was kept in an artificial coma for a few weeks.
After these 2 events his charachter changed alot. It is as if all the negative characteristics he showed before (in moderation), have now taken over him. He has hardly any empathy left, he is rude and possessive, he lies all the time and his drinking habits have gotten even worse. He has become very glutenous and containly makes a mess of things because he wants to put too much food in his mouth.

We thought he would take better care of himself after these serious health issues (the stroke and aneurysm), but he is now takes even less care of himself.
He is making life unbearable for my mother, my brother, my sister and myself. We are all on antidepressants because of it.
Is this behaviour common for people who have had a stroke or aneurysm? Any tips?

He refuses to see a psychiatrist or psychologists, he thinks they are "wannebe scientist" and "wannabe doctors". I started seeing a therapist for an eating dissorder a few months back and he thinks it's all nonsense...

Answer 1

A stroke has the potential to affect a person's personality because a stroke affects the brain (the hearth aneurism has no effect in the behaviours you see). And emotional changes are typical after any type of stroke, while some also experience apathy and don’t seem to care about anything

This can especially be hard on the family but you need to understand that this is beyond your dad's control.

Depending on the type and severity of the stroke your dad had his personality change may or may not be permanent.

The best thing for all of you would be if your dad consulted a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist to help him deal with the effects of the stroke. It may be difficult for you to get him to see one of these people but you should try.

And I prefer psychologists as they work with cognitive behavioural therapies, instead of drugs like psychiatrists do.

And what someone said above about things getting worse...please don't believe this...there is always a chance that with the right help your dad will improve.

Good luck and hope all goes well.

Answer 2

What does your dad's physician say about his behavior? Have you, or any of your siblings, accompanied your dad and mom to a doctor's visit recently? It's important that your dad's doctor is aware of the changes in his behavior. It's possible that the aneurysm and the stroke may have caused brain damage that led to the behavior; however, the are other possible causes too, and without describing these things to his doctor and then an exam, there is no way to tell what is causing his behavior. In addition to having a discussion with your dad's doctor; you might want to see if there are any local support groups for the families of people who have had a stroke. Try calling your local American Heart Association, and also local groups for brain injuries. Take care!

Answer 3

Your dad should see a neurologist.
Sounds to me like he had a frontal lobe stroke as this type of behavior (loss of emotional responsiveness / lack of thought for the future) isn't uncommon amongst these persons especially when there is extensive damage that also invades the limbic system (most of the reason why lobotomies aren't conducted anymore, the siezures disappear but so does the person everyone once knew).

The first link regards what the frontal lobe is for (in a comprehensive way), the second is one of the most famous case studies ever regarding frontal lobe damage.

Answer 4

Yes it is very common for a persons personality to change after a stroke. Depending on the area of the brain that is affected. It will likely get worse and you might start looking for a nursing home or assisted living place for him. You need to know where your limit is and when to give up and let others that are trained handle it. It could very well effect everyones health and cause many heataches for the family if you try to handle it on your own.
May God be with you.

Answer 5

Taking on this attitude that your father has: sounds so self

centered to people that have their full facility's in order.

Maybe this is something he can not control....

Do you know what parts were damaged?

He must be disabled in some new ways.

If he is facing challenges and needing to lean on people and

everyone is bitter........

No one understands if you stop your living at this age . I mean

there you are alive but no one has to be or feel what you are

feeling. But buddy I'm with you .... Why struggle to live If you

are meant to die..

Most people like to get as old as possible to see if they

would of got something any worse than cancer and arthritis.
Care to break a bone?

I understand some of the anger you have to be feeling. give
him all the beer he needs for gosh sakes.This is his life. You live yours..... Let him go.......

Answer 6

Well,
Its with the harmonal change that he has gone through he has lost zest for life n feeling cut off form life start homeopathic tratment n give ACIDPHOS tabs in 200 potency after consulting a hoimeopath it will ease urs problem a bit !

Answer 7

Yes it is. My dad used to be one of the most ruthless, cold hearted businessman that you could ever meet in his pre-stroke days. Afterwards he was just an emotional mess and generally insupportable by anyone--yet his memories were still intact.

So yeah this drastic personality change is quite common--good luck.

Answer 8

Dear Crystal

I think that your dad is scared of death and need you more attention from the family. when you were kid you created chaos to get approval.

Older people do not express their feeling in the same way

shower him more love and express that your family still need him in your life.

Just put yourself in his position. When you are 63 year old and having stroke.

May be he thinking about uncertainty of life, dependency on others, previous life unfulfilled achievements.

He just scared and need your help.

hope things will be sorted out.

with best regards

satish

Answer 9

This happens. The part of his brain that was keeping his nastiness in check may have been destroyed by the stroke.

Check with social services to see what you can do. You may have to have him committed if he's too much for you to handle.

Answer 10

My dad had two strokes and became very bitter and weepy,Before this he was a very strong man that never would show emotions. He also picked my sister to be come his nemesis and begin to hate and treat her very badly.Nothing she did would please him. He changed and was never the same until the day he died.I miss my dad , even in his hateful final days.