Recovery
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What are the stages of the recovery process?
Following a stroke, a person will soon begin recovering his/her abilities. Some improvement occurs spontaneously as it relates to how the brain works again after it is injured. Many patients can benefit from a stroke rehabilitation program. These programs help improve abilities and teach compensation strategies and coping techniques.
Keep in mind that depression is not uncommon after a stroke, and can interfere with recovery. Therefore, it's important to treat the symptoms associated with depression. Emotional ability or “reflex crying” can occur due to biological changes in the brain; these symptoms are different from depression. For instance, a person may cry or laugh, even though the reaction doesn't match his/her mood. This may continue longer than expected.
The greatest improvement generally occurs within the first months after a stroke and will continue over the coming years with the patient's effort.