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77 yr old Mom suffered a left brain stroke in March of 2024. She lost her ability to swallow, speak, and mobility on her right side. She was already a bit immobile due to knee replacement recovery.
has anyone else dealt with personality changes in patient?? She laughs at the wrong times and cries all other times. This started after her stroke. But the last few weeks, it has increased incredibly. So much so, she can’t attend funerals or other social gatherings. Folks dont seem to understand it’s a side effect. any thoughts???

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Any head injury/stroke can affect personality. You need to adjust to a new reality
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Reply to MACinCT
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My late husband had a massive left brain stroke which left him with permanent disabilities, but he never had the laughing or crying thing going on.
But other folks that I've known who had right brain strokes did have an issue with the inappropriate laughing and crying.
But from what I've read this is known as PBA(pseudobulbar affect)and is associated with damage that is done to the cerebro-ponto-cerebeller pathway which includes the cerebellum and related brain regions, and can occur with both left and right brain strokes.
And PBA is thought to be caused by damage to the central nervous system, specifically in the areas of the brain that control emotional expression.
You may want to talk to your moms doctor because there are supposedly medications including antidepressants to help the outbursts.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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My Aunt had a tramatic brain injury from going thru a windsheld of a car. She did the same thing. The part of Moms brain where emotions are was damaged in some way. You do need to discuss this with her doctor.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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This is something now to discuss with her doctor, given it is worsening symptom.
As to weddings, funerals and other social gatherings outside of close INFORMED friends and families, that's now out of the question.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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