After a stroke, people may experience a range of effects, including physical disabilities and personality changes. Some personality changes may resemble child-like behavior.

A stroke is a serious medical event. During a stroke, blood flow to a region of the brain is blocked or interrupted. When areas of the brain don’t receive adequate blood and oxygen supply, they may become damaged or die. The result is brain damage that may cause a range of effects, from mental or physical disability to death.

Behavior and personality changes are also possible effects of a stroke. They may include changes in behavior that appear child-like.

Here’s what you can expect about personality changes after a stroke and what treatments may help.

It’s common to experience changes in behavior after a stroke. These changes can be associated with damage to areas in the brain involved in reasoning, self-control, and memory.

Changes may also result from emotional reactions to facing challenges, uncertainties, or frustrations in the healing process. A person may behave in a child-like, dependent way when they lose self-care abilities and independence.

One possible change is that a person may exhibit behaviors that seem more child-like when compared with their pre-stroke personality. This means a person might show increased impulsivity, exaggerated emotions (such as trouble controlling anger), or otherwise act in ways typically associated with children.

Other common behaviors after a stroke include:

A person may also have trouble recognizing or regulating these emotions after a stroke. Understanding these changes and why they happen can help manage them and support recovery. Learn more about how a stroke affects the body.

Yes. It’s common to experience a wide range of personality changes after a stroke. After all, the brain is what controls a person’s emotions and behaviors. When there’s damage to the brain, those behaviors and emotions can shift from normal.

Other personality changes after a stroke may include:

A key feature of this behavior is that it’s a change from how the person used to be before the stroke.

Pseudobulbar affect

After a stroke, around 1 in 5 people have sudden, unusual reactions to events, like laughing at odd times or crying after hearing a joke. People who have involuntary and inappropriate reactions to situations after a stroke may be experiencing a condition called pseudobulbar affect (PBA).

Episodes with PBA are typically brief, lasting only a few seconds to minutes, but the changes in behavior may seem extreme or uncontrollable. For 1 in 8 people, PBA may persist for 6 months or longer.

There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for personality changes after a stroke. Working closely with your care team can help you find a treatment approach that meets your specific needs.

While therapies can lead to significant improvements, it’s important to recognize that some changes may become a new normal.

Cognitive rehabilitation is a type of therapy for people who have experienced brain damage due to stroke, traumatic brain injury, or some other situation. Sessions are individualized to work on whatever issues (memory, personality changes, communication, decision making, etc.) are affecting a person’s daily life.

Other therapies that may help with personality changes after stroke include:

How long does it take for the brain to settle after a stroke?

Recovery from stroke depends on a number of factors, such as how much of the brain is damaged, where it’s damaged, and how soon a person begins rehabilitation efforts.

According to the American Stroke Association, personality changes tend to improve over time. The most rapid recovery typically happens in the first few months after the stroke. Some people may continue to see improvements in their physical and mental health for another 1 or 2 years.

While brain damage is usually permanent, the brain has limited ability to repair itself. Research is looking at ways to replace damaged cells with new neurons generated from stem cells and form new blood vessels to support healing.

The brain is an incredible organ. It uses neuroplasticity to rewire itself, learn new skills, and adapt to changes. This is why rehabilitation is key to stroke recovery.

While it may seem early, starting rehab efforts within the first 48 hours after a stroke can lead to significant improvements in recovery.

Behavior and personality changes after a stroke are due to changes in the brain or emotional feelings during recovery. For some people, these changes may be temporary and improve over time and with rehabilitation. For others, personality changes may be more long lasting.

To find additional support for both stroke survivors and caregivers, consider contacting the American Stroke Association by calling 888-4-STROKE (888-478-7653) or visiting their Support Network page.