Can a stroke survivor's relationship with their partner in regards to…

I am the wife (partner) and carer and the distancing behaviour can be quite difficult and upsetting. This is note ant to sound as if it is all about me but I needed to speak to someone about this to help me understand if this a common (or not) attitude/behaviour post stroke.

Hi,

I’m sorry to hear about your partner’s stroke and the impact it’s had on your relationship. Changes in mood, personality and communication style are very common after stroke. Your partner may have limited insight into how his mood and behaviour affect you which can make the problem challenging to deal with.

We would strongly recommend seeking some support through Relationships Australia, or phoning us on StrokeLine (1800 787 653). We are happy to discuss counselling options or give suggestions on how to manage/approach the situation.

For further information have a look at our Emotional and Personality Changes after Stroke fact sheet and our Relationships after Stroke blog.

Best wishes,

Alana

Speech Pathologist for StrokeLine 1800 787 653

Hi There

I am a stroke survivor.I had stroke in 2014.The partner relation ship is very hard as your mood and behaviour.

Ahmed

I too am the wife of a stroke survivor since May 2014. This is the toughest relationship challenge any partner will have to face. It goes without saying the frustration, anger and sadness you will continually face. I also feel seeing a number of health professionals is only a short term bandaid fix.

My experience with the overall health system is nobody warned me what was really going to happen. All I was told was to put my husband in a nursing home after 6 weeks without any form a ReHab at all because he had no mobility, I had to fight tooth and nail to get the chance for him to receive ReHab to see what he can and can't do. I'm glad to say after 6 weeks in rehab he became somewhat mobile but still had a long to go.

We bought him home in Sept 2014, between myself and my daughter without any formal training got him further in his recovery.

The reason we are susceptible to their moodiness is two fold.

1. As their carer and partner we are doing everything we possibly can to help them and their moodiness and outburst makes you feel why am I going through knocking myself out if they don't appreciate what you are doing and more importantly giving to care for them.

2. They don't understand why you get upset when they telling you the truth.Whilst they know what they are doing and saying they need to understand how it upsets you and why it upsets you.

I achieved this by being just as moody and outspoken back to him, which is now starting to take affect as he is starting to apologise for his actions and this makes all the difference in making him understand the emotional upheaval he has caused.

This may not suit everyone but it is how we have coped to date.

I would love to know in what age bracket you and your husband are, I'm 56 and my husband is 64, Regards Carol

Hi,