Hi JayJay,
Here are some comments from the Facebook community that may help.
Hang in there, Jay🙏🏼. When friends & family would tell me funny and/or interesting anecdotes about my life before stroke (while still sharing entertaining moments from the stroke journey too ie repeating my clever one-liners and reminding me I had just said such the day before), whether I remembered the life’s moments or completely forgot such memories, they always helped with rediscovering who I was deep down and who I could become familiar with again. It also helped in being comfortable that my support network genuinely valued me before annnnnd after stroke/s. Pictures, videos & social media posts from before stroke helped (ones during really scared me as I forgot all about them even though they were seconds earlier & I also didn’t look like myself *steroid fat face* so I wouldn’t recommend focusing on such dark days initially).
As for social occasions, smaller is always better to begin & with people who know you well as some in the public can be ignorant & judgemental, it can really be quite daunting & even hurtful. So quality, familiar + supportive & understanding people & a comfortable environment to let your bubbly, social personality shine 💎
Will Johns
Jay hang in there. For me it’s fatigue . Im constantly tired more than i was. I buried myself in my art to help . Im back at work now and being a physical job im struggling with the work and hours but again jay hang in there.
Alegria Fibla
Hello Jay, sorry to hear your stroke has changed your personality. Same for me. However, over time I slowly developed a new way of being. Its awful to lose your capabilities, some of them invisible to others. You will develop other capabities over time. This sounds hopeless in the beginning. I was knocked completely off my perch. Has a v.quick initial recovery, then settled in to a gradual inching back. I hope you will find yourself again, or maybe a happier version of yourself. Good luck.
Felicity Kemp
Hi Jay, this is very normal after a stroke. My partner has had 5 strokes and he has found that going to some form of Outpatient therapy helps even if it is via Zoom. Each day will be different but each day there are small steps in improvement. Just have to stay strong and be positive. Rest is also a big part. Your body especially your brain needs to heal. Try each day to do something you enjoy even if it just means a cuppa in the sunshine.
Karen Bayly
Jay, It's worth exploring whether you're managing sensory over stimulation or potentially anxiety or depression. I hope you get to the basis of you feeling less bubbly and social.
Alegria Fibla
Hello Jay, sorry to hear your stroke has changed your personality. Same for me. However, over time I slowly developed a new way of being. Its awful to lose your capabilities, some of them invisible to others. You will develop other capabities over time. This sounds hopeless in the beginning. I was knocked completely off my perch. Has a v.quick initial recovery, then settled in to a gradual inching back. I hope you will find yourself again, or maybe a happier version of yourself. Good luck.
Margaret Lyons Donald
Allow time to greive! Stroke is life-changing. Try a daily gratitude jar or something you are thankful each day. Learn its ok to say no! I'm not the same as I used to be and need to constantly remind myself this. Patience and frustrating are hard. Teach your family and close friends what life is really like now so they can help. Keep going. YOU are amazing and are still here! Make the most of life
Riley Roy Riley
The thing I never realised is that a stroke is more mental than physical.. My wife says that I have become withdrawn.. Sort of antisocial.. Less tolerant.. Does anyone else think that it might be the drug thrombolisice.. That's what I was given..
Paul Thomas
I'm the same. After 11months I feel like I'm slowly getting myself back somedays.
Its usually if an old friend makes a joke to me on Facebook or messenger ?
Try getting hold of really old best friends and relive some funny memories " Remember when " etc.
Gets your brain working also ❤❤
Davo Clarke
I can relate to this very much ....my strokes definitely took there toll on my personality...... for me like alot of people it has been fatigue that has played a major role it has taken me along time (march 2019) to come to terms with it all u really have to pace yourself and take 1 day at a time