Mood disorders after stroke : detection and psychological therapy

Background: Stroke has the greatest disabling impact of any chronic disease. Mood disorders are common after stroke and add to disability. Recently more attention has been given to these concerns. Content: Focussing on depression and anxiety, this address considers the nature of these problems, how they can be detected and the evidence for effective psychological intervention to prevent and treat them. Conclusions: Psychological interventions are being identified to manage emotional changes after stroke. Research is ongoing to establish instruments to better identify anxiety, particularly in those with aphasia.