Uncontrolled and inappropriate emotions are very very common with stroke survivors. It is called emotional liability.

Many stroke survivors take antidepressants. I was put on them a few months after my stroke and remained on them for a year. After I was weaned off of them my family said it took me about a month to get my emotions back under control. No major problem since then.

Another thing which I used is healing music -- music especially designed for healing. I found it really helps to keep my emotions under control. Check out cds by Steve Halpern. Be sure to find music especially designed for healing. That is not for meditation, relaxation, etc.

By all means talk with your doctor about antidepressants. Sometimes several have to be tried to find the one which works best. There is a lot of debate about going on antidepressants to get one "over the hump" vs going on antidepressants for a long period of time.

Read up on it.

I agree with everything that Lin is saying.

In Don's case he is one of the ones who has been put on an anti-drepressant long term. This decision was made because pre-stroke he dealt with depression off and on his whole life, often untreated and probably it should have been.

Everyone is different so you will not find one answer that will fit all survivors.

Jean

Susan

Ray's emotions are "locked in" so he doesn't cry and he hardly ever laughs, all he manages is a smile. Maybe Rolly's tears were the equivalent of Ray's angry outburst just before Christmas and just signified that he was tired, stressed and overwhelmed by all the rush and excitement.

Hang in there my friend.

Sue.