CVA and Depression &lllaos;Adapting to an Abnormal Disposition &lllaos;

• Evolutional Psychology/Anthropological Psychology by Ed Riemann LCSW, 1/2/97
  • (...)
    
    • Degree of Depression by William B. Secor, 1/10/97
      
      

I think I need to clarify my initial posting relative to this topic. Iam not suggesting that depression is a survival mechanism or adaptive to a "normal situation". The assult/insult suffered by a individual who has a CVA is systemic. Some neurobiologist suggest that the chemical release that is associated with a stroke is what causes the depression. The release of significent amounts of serotonin and norepranephrin (two chemicals closely associated with studies of long term depressives in State institutions) occurs during the CVA insult. The question here is why are these chemicals released? Was there a purpose that predates modern society? Did this purpose ever have a survivalistic aspect associated with it? In contempory society depression is certainly a maladaptive response to a CVA in that it inhibits the rehabilitation process and delays recovery. I have found that this chemically induced depression lasts for about one to three months post CVA and often discipates after this time. My concern as a therapist is if this depression continues beyond this period. Depression that does continue beyond this time shoud be considered reactive in nature and often is secondary to loss of independence. I believe this is the type of depression you are referring to and it can be very detrimental to the patients recovery. What Iam referring to is the chemical response,release if you will, not the reactive response that often ensues a few months down the pike . I hope you understand thsi distinction and I would appreciate a response to this distinction that I am proposing. Thanks, Ed

No Replies