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Semin Speech Lang 1999; 20(1): 19-31
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1064006
© 1999 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

The Emotional Impact of Aphasia

Chris Code1 , 2 , Gayle Hemsley1 , Manfred Herrmann3
  • 1Brain Damage and Communication Research, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Sydney, Australia
  • 2School of Psychology, University of Exeter, England
  • 3Division of Neuropsychology and Behavioural Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany
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Publication Date:
15 May 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

In this article we review the negative impact of aphasia on emotional well-being. Depression is the emotional response that has been examined most, and we examine the different causes of depression for people with aphasia. We discuss the relationships between recovery and emotional state and the clinical implications of these relationships, then review briefly issues of drug treatment for depression. We conclude that the emotional impact of aphasia can have a marked negative impact on recovery, response to rehabilitation, and psychosocial adjustment.

KEY WORDS

aphasia - depression - emotion