Though I had a mini- stroke 4months ago, am receiving pyhsio I haven’t been asked how I am feeling mentally, I still relive that day I spent 9 hours staggering around my house- unaware i had experienced a stroke. i still have difficulties in writing, my balance is not perfect and my speech can be awkward. I don’t think at times the professionals realise that mentally I still have’nt come to terms with it. I become angry - more than i previously was. I just wish the physios would ask simply- how are you coping mentally. Because I now realise I’m not. Before the stroke I regarded myself as a healthy 73 year old I now reluctantly see myself as elderly. For me that’s a scary place to be in.
Malcolm Ramsden-Frankland.
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Hello @malc33
Welcome to the community and thank you for sharing your post.
I wonder if you might be able to speak with your GP and ask them to get you a referral to see a psycologist to help with the mental element of recovering from your stroke.
It’s great that you are getting physio and maybe they may also be able to help you to get referred.
Rather than wait for someone to ask you how you are feeling, I think if you were to initiate the request, it might be better for you - sometimes we have to raise the issue ourselves.
I wish you all the best and hope you get to speak with someone to help you cope mentally.
Peace & Love
& 
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It is 7.00 am.
This is my third year since stroke. My attitude to the way stroke has affected my life has gradually changed.
At first, the whole experience was terrifying, then numbing.
Coming to terms with disablement and the way it has affected every part of the way I live is largely invisible to others but I must struggle with that on my own. Grieving over how much I have lost and coming to terms with accepting that I need to look for ways to carry on that somehow will make existing worthwhile is a challenge.
In some respects I need support, encouragement, a reason to hope. I need to find all this. The whole thing is a continuing process that, it seems, will take much time. Days, weeks and months, will see some change but there are years stretching ahead. There are short term concerns, plans and hopes for a future. Day by day there are ups and downs, wins and losses.
In many ways the effects of stroke are isolating. One is left with the feeling that you are surrounded by folk who just don’t understand. They must have some understanding, otherwise why would they care, why would they support?
Each case is one of a million. There are a lot of us. By meeting and communicating we can get a better picture of who we are, where we are going. Some of us have been here only hours, minutes and yet others months, years. Each is seperate, yet part of a whole.
Just as stroke is very variable in the effects it has so those affected find their own different ways of dealing with things. There is not just one route. We each find our own way, maybe alone, maybe with others.
We are an asset. Sharing our experiences and what we have learnt is valuable. We have one another and meeting on forums, online, in actual physical groups, can help us find a direction, to learn what is possible, to give and receive encouragement.
There is reason for hope, there is cause to plan. We can be here for one another. This is likely to continue for some time.
keep on keepin on
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Hi @malc33
Welcome to the community although I’m sorry to hear about your mini stroke.
Coming to terms with a stroke can be hard - whether it’s been a big stroke or a little one, it is still a big event in your life.
I would echo what @ManjiB has said about speaking with your GP to see if you can get a referral to a psychologist. We often hear how much this helps peoples recovery.
You could also see if you have any stroke groups in your area - these are good place to meet and speak with people who have been through similar experiences. You can find our groups by clicking here. You could also check out our Online Activities which, again, will give you access to people going through similar experiences. You can get tips and advice off people who have been through something similar which may help you.
Anna
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Hi @malc33 My stroke was a great shock. I have always been very busy with volunteering and meeting up with friends. Any change can be very anxiety provoking and I think there are very few people who like any sort of change.
Where I live we can self refer for mental health support but your surgery will know. I have had counselling a few times and it does help.
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Hello @malc33 and welcome to the forum. So sorry you are struggling emotionally after your stroke. It is a real shock to the system and can take time to recover from, much like bereavement.
You are still receiving Physio so are you still under OT (Occupation Therapy) and in touch with your local stroke team? They were the ones who dealt with that aspect, mental coping, when they were assigned to me. That being said, it was during the lock downs so there were a lot of mental health issues at that time, but I didn’t need any of that. If not your stroke team then, as everyone has suggested, speak with your GP.
You can refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP, or a GP can refer you.
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Welcome to the team @Bagrat
Happy to have you on board and sharing your experiences 
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@malc33 Hi & welcome to the community. Sorry to hear of your struggles mentally. It is a big shock having a stroke & it’s hardly surprising many people struggle with their mental health following their stroke.
Within the NHS the specialists you see will generally only deal with the issue that falls into their specialism hence why the physio hasn’t asked how you are coping. That doesn’t mean you can’t raise it with them though as they might be able to point you in the direction of some help.
I’m with the others too in that you should speak to your GP. You’ve made the first & most difficult step of realising you’re struggling so please teach out to them for help.
Sending my best wishes.
Ann
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