Which emotional deficits may follow brain injury due to stroke?

• A. Depression, anxiety, and mood swings
• B. Improved mood and resilience
• C. Heightened sensory acuity
• D. Increased energy

Answer: (A)

After a stroke, areas involved in mood and emotion can be damaged, which often leads to emotional changes. Disruptions in brain networks that regulate emotion, including connections between the frontal areas and limbic system, can lower mood and increase emotional instability. Because of this, depression, anxiety, and mood swings are common and can appear at various points during recovery, impacting motivation and participation in rehabilitation.

Choosing the option that lists depression, anxiety, and mood swings fits what is typically seen as a consequence of brain injury from a stroke. The other options describe outcomes that are not characteristic deficits after a stroke: improved mood and resilience suggest a positive change rather than a deficit; heightened sensory acuity is not an emotional deficit and is not a typical result of stroke; increased energy is unlikely, as fatigue is a common issue in stroke recovery.