Contents:
- Medical Video: Hindi Short Film - The Final Full Stop | A Story About Family Relationships/Secrets
- The importance of maintaining friendship after a stroke
- What if the couple is also affected?
Medical Video: Hindi Short Film - The Final Full Stop | A Story About Family Relationships/Secrets
The impact of a stroke is not limited to individuals, but also to the whole family. The majority of stroke sufferers and those closest to them will emotionally feel the effects of stroke, but most patients feel that only they themselves are facing the effects.
This emotional impact shook many family members. Seven out of ten survivors of stroke say they try to remain strong for their families, while at the same time, three-quarters of their family members say they place the needs of stroke patients above their own needs. With both parties feeling uncomfortable with each other or unable to express their feelings after a stroke, this can have a negative impact on relationships between family members.
How so that all family members can help their families who experience a stroke is a problem that has not been studied. An expert said: "The impact that is felt by the family is complex and therefore all family members need support to understand what is happening."
The importance of maintaining friendship after a stroke
Friendship is not the same as family support or social support, but both can be very valuable for stroke sufferers. However, a survey showed that more than half of stroke patients who took this survey said that they received different treatment from their friends after a stroke.
Some stroke sufferers in the survey said that their friends seemed uncomfortable or awkward around them and hesitant to act. The problem with maintaining friendships is also mentioned by some stroke sufferers, because some of their friends move away and never see them again, making them socially isolated.
Research finally highlights that friendship is something that has not been utilized in supporting rehabilitation, self-management, participation, and the well-being of patients after a stroke. Different friends play different roles in helping support stroke sufferers in rebuilding their identities.
What if the couple is also affected?
Relationships with friends and family are strained, while frustration, anger, anxiety, and fatigue worsen the situation. The emotional impact of a stroke can cause family disunity.
In a survey conducted, about one third of stroke sufferers had broken up with their partners. 56% said that their relationship with their partner had been destroyed, and 34% felt they did not have one person to talk to. That is why well-coordinated support in the community is very important. Difficulties in establishing relationships after a stroke are quite high, especially for the 30-59 year age group (61%), of which 44% of them have already failed.
Each partner has a different reaction to stroke, depending on how strong the relationship itself is, what each person expects, their role, and the contribution they make in the relationship. Some people feel rejected or adored by their partners even though they are not. Others feel that their partners should stay away from them and look for better ones, even though the couple doesn't feel that way. Conflicts can also occur where couples are trying to support stroke sufferers but inadvertently stress their partners.
Clinical psychologists or staff of stroke experts who have received psychological training can provide counseling to couples to help them understand what is happening and make their partners adjust to relationships with stroke patients.
