Rinu Mary Thomas

ABSTRACTPost stroke depression (PSD) is a mood disorder in which depression and anhedonia results from stroke. Stroke is a neurological deficit of cerebrovascular cause which persist either beyond 24hrs or is interrupted by death within 24hrs. Depression is a common mental disorder characterized by depressed mood, loss of interest, Feeling of guilt, disturbed sleep, decreased appetite. Development of PSD may result from the mental distress associated with physical disability. There is no reliable and universal treatment for PSD despite its debilitating effects on quality of life in stroke patients. Most of the antidepressant influences the serotoninergic, adrenergic and dopaminergic systems with the aim of accelerating serotonin, dopamine and nor-epinephrine. The different therapeutic approaches to treat PSD include Antidepressants, psychotherapy, surgical therapy, Transcranial magnetic stimulation, acupuncture, music therapy. In this review we are compiling different treatment options available for post stroke depression. Keywords: Post stroke depression, antidepressant, psychotherapy, Transcranial magnetic stimulation, acupuncture, music therapy