Stroke Illness

Running head: STROKE ILLNESS 1
Stroke Illness
Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
Institution Affiliation
Date

STROKE ILLNESS 2
Case Presentation
Stroke is a condition that occurs when flow of blood is occluded in a part of brain. The
disruption of oxygenated blood causes a damage to the cells of brain hence causing disabling
influence on an individual. Grant Baker being of older age and from Torres Strait Islander
Descent was more prone to stroke. Tracing the family history of Baker his grandfather was from
Fiji where stroke is a common occurrence. The main cause of Baker’s stroke may be due to
stress from the death of his mother and father, divorce and having no child. His long smoking
habit, lack of exercise, overweight and being not active since he had retired increased the
chances of stroke to occur (Feigin et al, 2016).
Before hospitalization Grant had presented possible signs of stroke like
hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and transient ischemic attack about six weeks ago. Grant had
been presented to Broome hospital after he had suffered from cerebrovascular accident at sleep
which confirmed the presence of stroke. At Perth hospital, Grant portrayed symptoms of stroke
like increased hypertension, increased heart beat rate, increased respiratory rate, decreased
muscle tone and hyperreflexia. At hospitalization, Baker was diagnosed of stroke and the results
confirmed that he suffered from stroke. Later after hospitalization he displayed signs of stroke
like feeling exhausted at night, complaining of being overwhelmed from friends and families
visits and due to this he becomes restless and agitated, teary when speaking, incapacity to rest
during the day, denial of his conditions, depression and continuous quarrels with health care
providers (IST-3 Collaborative Group, 2015).
Behavioral and psychological responses

STROKE ILLNESS 3
The physical damage of the brain that is as a result of stroke causes many behavior and
psychological responses. It is because parts of brains controls how our body functions. Examples
of behavioral and psychological effects of stroke as presented in the case scenario include;
Post stroke depression. Post stroke depression is a common incidence for a person
suffering from stroke. The common symptoms of post stroke depression include; lack of
interests, disturbed appetite, disturbed sleep, reduced energy, feeling guilt, thoughts of suicide or
death and psychomotor retardation or agitation (Micaela Silva et al, 2016). Prior conditions like
excessive alcohol intake and divorce increases the likelihood of post stroke depression occurring.
Depression is also associated with cognitive distortions. Therefore, a person who believes he will
not get better or feels his conditions are uncontrollable is at high chances of experiencing
depression. Grant chances of experiencing depression is increased by divorce and excessive
alcohol intake. He portrayed symptoms and signs of post stroke depression like eating problems,
inadequate sleep, and thoughts of death since he believed he will not get better.
Physical impairment. Stroke affects a person ability to carry out normal activities of daily
living (ADLs), the patient experience difficulties when conducting daily activities. Difficulties in
carrying out ADLs may be as a result of poor coordination, influence of paralysis and lack of
awareness. As presented in the case scenario Baker is unable to carry out activities like dressing
himself, cooking and writing (Nicholson et al, 2014).
Catastrophic reactions and Emotional problems. Stroke causes pseudobulbar affect and
catastrophic reactions. Patients portray emotional glitches like sudden anger, aggression or
crying, sudden anxiety, and uncontrollable laughing. Catastrophic reactions are the emotional
reactions a patients present when unable to carry out a task resulting from neurologic deficits.
The conditions mainly arises due to disturbing thoughts concerning the stroke and the feelings of