Identifying and Treating Post-Stroke Depression

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Audiocast Description

Depression is common after stroke, affecting an estimated one-third to two-thirds of all survivors. Post-stroke depression (PSD) can occur on a continuum, from mild symptoms to clinical depression. In this audiocast we’ll discuss what depression is, why it can occur after a person has experienced a stroke, signs and symptoms to watch for and how to help a patient or family member that might need to be evaluated and treated for PSD.

If you have immediate questions, The American Stroke Association has a toll-free Stroke Warmline that connects stroke survivors and their families with a trained team member who can provide support, helpful information or just a listening ear. Health Care Professionals can recommend to their patients and their families to call the Stroke Warmline at 1-888-4-STROKE (1-888-478-7653).

Audiocast Participant Bio

Nada El Husseini, MD

Nada El Husseini, MD obtained her undergraduate degree and MD from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. She then completed an internal medicine internship and a Neurology residency at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina, a Bugher-AHA stroke research fellowship with a masters degree in clinical research and an ACGME accredited vascular neurology fellowship at Duke University medical center. She is board certified in Neurology and vascular neurology. She currently is an Associate Professor of Neurology at Duke University Medical Center, where she also serves as the telestroke medical director and vascular neurology fellowship program director. 

Dr. El Husseini’s clinical practice in vascular neurology spans the inpatient and acute care settings, telestroke, as well as post-acute care and outpatient settings. Her research is mostly focused on post-stroke outcomes with a special interest in post-stroke neuropsychiatric outcomes and cognition.  She is a fellow of the American heart association and has co-authored the first scientific statement from the American heart association on post-stroke depression. She is also a member of the AHA Quality & Outcomes Committee of the Stroke Council and a member of the international stroke conference planning committee.