A REVIEW ON DEPRESSION - POST STROKE COMPLICATION

Neuropsychiatric disorders account for almost 14% of the global burden of disease. Depression is the leading contributor to the global burden of disease. Depression is associated with a higher risk of stroke. There is a tendency for clinicians to focus on the easily observable physical manifestations of cerebrovascular disease, which may divert attention away from potentially greater problems related to depression that can impede optimum recovery and readjustment to life after stroke. Depression is generally characterised by varying degrees of abnormal thinking, emotion, behaviour , and relationships with others. A clinical diagnosis of depression is made by taking a detailed personal and family history, conducting a clinical examination and using a semi structured psychiatric interview. Depression has important negative effects on longterm outcomes after stroke particular in terms of impairing physical functioning, increasing suicidal ideation and the risk of premature death. Unfortunately most patients with depression and vascular disease do not receive effective treatment. So it may leads to impair quality of life of patients. This review make an attempt to increase the awareness of the depression after stroke which may used to educate the stroke patients and their caregivers which may ultimately increase quality of life of patients . Key words: Stroke, Depression , Clinical examination , Impairment