My partner suffered a bilateral thalamic ischemic stroke in July this…

I am my partners carer and I know this is adding to his depression, he thinks he's nothing more than a baby, needing help because he can't think. Is this normal - will it go away or subside in time. I want to tell him that it will be ok - you just need time.

Hi Robyn,

Thanks for getting in touch with us here through Ask a Health Professional. I am sorry to hear about your partner’s stroke, this sounds like an incredibly tough time for you both.

Firstly, feeling like your head is empty and struggling to think are common experiences after a stroke. Stroke is known to affect your thinking and cognition. This can include problems with your memory, orientation, attention, problem solving, judgement and insight.

Things that can make this feel worse include:

· Being tired, emotional, or stressed can make it harder to think clearly.

· Busy or noisy environments can make it hard too.

It is very hard to put a specific timeframe on possible recovery, but research now indicates the brain has the ability to change. This is called neuroplasticity and it has a big impact on our cognitive recovery after stroke.

Speak with your partner’s doctor.

Ask your partner to talk with his doctor about his difficulties in thinking and check in with his mood. An occupational therapist (OT) or neuropsychologist can assess your partner to determine some of his specific issues and suggest things that can help. You can obtain a referral to an OT or neuropsychologist through his GP. In the meantime, some simple strategies such as limiting noise and other distractions when your partner is trying to concentrate can help.

Feelings of depression and anxiety are also common after a stroke. It is important that if your partner is experiencing depression, they can access support via a Mental Health Care Plan through his GP. This would entitle him 6 or more sessions at a Medicare rebated rate (lower out of pocket costs) for counselling.

Resources

Stroke Foundation thinking and perception fact sheet

EnableMe resource on thinking and perception

Stroke Foundation depression and anxiety after stroke fact sheet

EnableMe resource on emotions

ABIOS resource thinking and perception

How are you going yourself? It must be difficult at times being both a carer and a partner for your loved one. It is important that you look after yourself as well and tap into various resources and support services that may be available to you.

You can call Synapse Australia’s Brain Injury Organisation on 1800 673 074. This organisation has some great resources on caring with someone with a brain injury.

· https://synapse.org.au/home/i-support-someone-with-a-brain-injury/

Relationships Australia may also be a valuable resource for you both when the times right-https://relationships.org.au/

The following resources may be relevant to you also:

Headway

https://www.headway.org.uk/about-brain-injury/individuals/brain-injury-andme/friends-5-ways-to-support-someone-with-a-brain-injury/fbclid=IwAR2ti7HaBZ0UbE6L7Te9dFR1t1oBFYoGmVoGEPN62mKSVV3IZaedVl15TTU 

Carers Gateway

https://www.carergateway.gov.au/

https://www.carergateway.gov.au/dealing-with-stress-educational-resources

Hopefully you find this information helpful. If you have any more questions, please contact us on StrokeLine. Email strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au or call us on 1800 787 653. We are available from Monday to Friday 9am- 5pm AEST.

Warm regards,

James and Alicia

hes head feels empty because its a side effect from the stroke , hes probably done damage to the nerves system which effects the feeling of your head , a type of numbness because the nervous system stopped working there , with luck it might go , but it could take several years.hes the not the only one to have those symptoms , best to ask a specialist about it .

he needs to know what is the side effects and learn to live with them , and yes i had a serious stroke so i am talking from experience .

Hi Garry, hope you are doing well. Life is very different post stroke and as you say, we have to learn to live with the side effects. John, my partner doesn't use a wheelchair anymore so thats great - he still says his head is empty but now he knows it's normal after a stroke, he is learning to live with it. We are hopeful it will improve with time and lots of TLC. With every step forward he makes, it gives him a sense of achievement and he feels he is slowly regaining some independence, making him very happy. Still a long way to go but we aren't about to throw in the towel. Best wishes for your recovery - thank you for your valuable feedback. Robyn & John :)

Hi Robyn and John, I also emailed you some comments from the community. Did you get it?

I hope that these comments help Robyn.