Coping with Anxiety After a Stroke

By: Alison Shapiro, Guest Contributor
Stroke Survivor, Mindfulness Teacher, and Author of Healing into Possibility: The Transformational Lessons of a Stroke

View all conditions and services

It’s not at all unusual for stroke survivors and their family members to feel anxious after a stroke. So much changes so suddenly. As a stroke survivor myself, I certainly experienced anxiety: in the hospital, at the rehab center, and after I returned home. Not only were my physical and mental abilities different, but my family had to adjust as well.

Recovery is a journey, and things continue to shift along the way. One of the hardest parts for me was realizing how unpredictable day-to-day life had become. That unpredictability made me feel uneasy and anxious.

If you’re feeling anxious after a stroke, please don’t fault yourself for what you feel. If you’re feeling anxious after a stroke, please don’t blame yourself. Talk to the people you love and to your care providers. Getting the right support can help you better focus on your healing and recovery.

For me, understanding the different causes of post-stroke anxiety helped me feel less alone and more in control. Here are some of the things I experienced and what helped:

1. Let Go of Overthinking

After my stroke, I found myself constantly asking, “Why did this happen to me?” I’d loop that question in my mind until I was mentally and emotionally exhausted. The truth is, I couldn’t change what happened. Learning to let go of that question helped me focus on the present and on taking care of myself.

2. Slow Down

I often felt physically agitated — as though my mind or body were racing. Even now, more than 20 years post-stroke, I still get anxious when I feel like everything is going too fast. Slowing down, taking deep breaths, and doing one thing at a time helps ground me. It’s a habit I practice regularly.

3. Stay Present

It’s easy to worry about what might happen next. But I learned that I can only work with what’s happening right now. Worrying about an imagined future didn’t help me — it only increased my anxiety. Staying present helped my brain rewire and gave me the best shot at recovery.

4. Reconnect with Others

After my stroke, I couldn’t go to the places I loved or spend time with many of the people I cared about. That sense of isolation was painful. But I kept working on recovery, and gradually, I found new ways to connect. Over time, I rebuilt my social life and now my relationships are even deeper and richer than they were before. With a little planning, I can go where I want and be with the people I love.

5. Learn to Accept Help

One of the hardest changes was going from someone who helped others to someone who needed help. At first, I resisted it. But with time and practice, I learned when to ask for help — and when to say, “I’ve got this.” Finding that balance made things easier for me and for those around me.

6. Allow Yourself to Grieve

A stroke changes a lot. And with change often comes grief. I needed to give myself permission to feel that sadness, not to wallow, but to honor what I had lost. Sometimes I needed support and comfort from others to process those feelings. And once I did, I could turn my attention back to recovery with more strength and clarity.

7. Face Your Fears — Safely

After a stroke, it’s common to fear falling or getting hurt again. I certainly did. And it made sense; any injury could interfere with recovery. What helped was acknowledging those fears and learning to work with them. By thinking through tasks and practicing them step-by-step, I built both confidence and safety. Facing my fears helped me relax, reduced my anxiety, and made me more flexible and resilient.

8. Find New Ways to Do Things

After a stroke, we often have to relearn how to do everyday tasks — or discover completely new ways to do them. Recovery is both a science and an art. For example, I now use a walking stick on uneven ground and go up stairs differently. A friend of mine, who loves to cook, now uses a one-handed cutting board and still makes amazing meals! There’s no one “right” way to do anything. Recovery invites us to be creative and adaptable. I’ve actually had fun inventing new ways to get things done.

Anxiety is a normal part of the stroke recovery journey. But with awareness, support, and practice, we can learn to work with it, not be ruled by it. You are not alone in how you feel, and there is help out there. Recovery takes time, patience, and kindness — especially toward yourself. But it’s worth it.

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

5 Exercises For Concussions

A concussion is defined as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) induced by direct or indirect force transmitted to the head. Looking at the statistics, there were 27.16 million new TBI cases globally in 2019. Nationally, there were approximately 214,110 TBI-related hospitalizations in 2020 and 69,473 TBI-related deaths in 2021.² Approximately 80% of all TBIs are classified as mild head injuries (CDC). These numbers highlight the significant public health impact concussions have worldwide, and the importance of proper evaluation and management.

What to Wear to Physical Therapy

When heading to physical therapy, comfort and functionality are key. Your attire can significantly impact the effectiveness of your session, affecting your ability to move freely, follow your therapist’s instructions, and perform exercises with ease. The right clothing not only promotes flexibility but also allows your therapist to evaluate your movements and address areas that need attention. Here’s what to wear – and what to avoid – for a successful visit!

Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury You May Not Know

What exactly is a traumatic brain injury? A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain that can be caused by a forceful jolt, bump, or hit to the head. It can also be caused by a sharp object that pushes through the skull and into the brain. Such injuries are often caused by car accidents, falls, sports, or natural disasters. For example, a concussion is a mild form of TBI; however, not all injuries to the head will cause a TBI.

Floor Transfers: Why They’re Important

Floor transfers, the ability to get down and rise from the floor without assistance, are an indicator of an individual’s functional independence, quality of life, and a predictor of longevity and overall health. This seemingly simple movement represents a complex integration of strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination that is closely linked to one’s overall functional mobility.

Heart Healthy Foods

Five Foods That Promote Heart Health

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among men, women, and most ethnic groups in the United States. While some risk factors—such as age, gender, and family history—are beyond our control, many other factors can be managed through lifestyle choices. Diet, physical activity, stress management, and avoiding tobacco all play a critical role in supporting heart health.

View All Posts

Start your Journey

Learn more about Sheltering Arms Institute

Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.