Regardless of the mechanisms explaining emotional
problems in acute stroke, early identification
and treatment of anxiety and depressive symptoms
may prevent more serious effects on neurological outcome
in this patient group (Shimoda and Robinson,
1998; Chemerinski et al., 2001; Gainotti et al.,
2001). In addition, the patients’ emotional stress and
personal suffering may be relieved if more resources
are directed to these problems in the acute stage of
cerebrovascular disease. Previous studies concerning