During stroke rehabilitation and recovery, many survivors describe feeling lonely, whether or not there are other family members in the house. For example, it can feel difficult to explain the complexities of brain injury to friends, co-workers, and family members. You might even feel self-conscious about your condition, worrying about feeling different or less capable. In addition, communication problems stemming from your injury, like aphasia, can make relating to other people and explaining your thoughts and feelings seem difficult.
In addition, the feelings of social isolation we all have from the mandated closures and social distancing of the COVID-19 pandemic can make brain rehabilitation at home seem extra lonely now. But keep up your home therapy – you will get to a better place.
In the meantime, try these 5 suggestions to feel less isolated at home and more hopeful about recovery.
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As always, check with your healthcare provider to make sure you’re not battling clinical depression. Some level of feeling down is normal during recovery but potentially debilitating depression affects a significant number of survivors. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Stroke showed proof of the correlation between stroke recovery and depression, but also demonstrated that treatment for depression can be fairly straightforward and successful if the symptoms are recognized and managed early on.