Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a very common complication that leads to increased physical disability, poor functional outcome, and higher mortality. Therefore, early detection and treatment are very important. Since there are currently no specific guidelines for this disorder in China, the purpose of this study was to develop PSD guidelines and provide suggestions for clinicians and related workers.
Post-stroke depression; diagnosis; treatment
| A. Three (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same one-week period and represent a change from previous functioning. |
| 1. Uncommunicative (e.g., avoids speaking) most of the day, every day, or most of the week. |
| 2. Fatigue or loss of energy every day, or most of the week. |
| 3. Depressed mood persisting most of the day, every day, or most of the week, as indicated by either self-report or observation by others (e.g., feels sad, cries easily). |
| 4. Insomnia, waking up early, or hypersomnia every day or most of the week. |
| 5. Feelings of helplessness, worthlessness most of the day, every day, or most of the week. |
| 6. Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide. |
| 7. Feeling of hopelessness or despair (especially related to the stroke) most of the day, every day, or most of the week. |
| 8. Unusually irritable every day or most of the week. |
| B. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social interaction, occupation, or other important areas of functioning. |
| C. The occurrence, development, and duration of these symptoms are closely related to cerebrovascular disease. |
| D. The occurrence of the major depressive episode could not be better explained by adjustment disorder with depressed mood, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, or other specified or unspecified schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders. |
| E. No manic or hypomanic episode reported. |
