Complete change of character after a stroke?

My dad is 63 years old and doesn't take very good care of himself. He has had a stroke a few months back. A few years earlier he had an aneurysm near his heart, after which he was kept in an artificial coma for a few weeks.
After these 2 events his charachter changed alot. It is as if all the negative characteristics he showed before (in moderation), have now taken over him. He has hardly any empathy left, he is rude and possessive, he lies all the time and his drinking habits have gotten even worse. He has become very glutenous and containly makes a mess of things because he wants to put too much food in his mouth.

We thought he would take better care of himself after these serious health issues (the stroke and aneurysm), but he is now takes even less care of himself.
He is making life unbearable for my mother, my brother, my sister and myself. We are all on antidepressants because of it.
Is this behaviour common for people who have had a stroke or aneurysm? Any tips?

He refuses to see a psychiatrist or psychologists, he thinks they are "wannebe scientist" and "wannabe doctors". I started seeing a therapist for an eating dissorder a few months back and he thinks it's all nonsense...

If you ask his doctor or health professional, they will be able to tell you whereabouts in the brain the stroke was. Chances are that it was in the frontal lobe (which is, obviously, near the front of the brain).
The frontal lobe is the chief control for impulse control, or decision making. It usually moderates the difference between what you would like to do deep down and what is acceptable or wise.
As an example, the frontal lobe is temporarily affected when you are drunk - it explains bad behavioural choices (not all behaviour e.g. not incoordination, imbalance, slow reactions).

So that would explain why his normal negative characteristics are exaggerated.
In summary, yes it is common, in frontal injuries.

It means very little, I know, but he does not deliberately make your life hell.

Perhaps the part of his brain which deals with characteristics such as behavior have been damaged?

Don't blame it on the aneurysm, blame it on the stroke. Remember that those with brain disorders can experience EXTREMELY different personalities! The first thing is for you and your family members is take care of yourselves or you will not be able to take care of him. I see patients like your dad on a daily basis. It is really sad what the brain can do when it does a flip-flop, but it is true. The sad truth is that it's not that he's not trying, he literally can't help it. Just try to understand the best you can and take care of yourselves. That's the very best advice I can give you. If that means getting your dad to assisted living, that's what I would recommend.

Everyone reacts to there mortally differently... Make you want to ask the question... does he have any regrets.. any thing he ever wanted to do or felt he never had a chance to do. Sounds like someone who is going to go out with a bang. But at the same time wants attention, wants to be remembered for something. I am no doctor. But my grandma had a stroke and a triple by pass and well she doesn't go outside anymore. She has become scared of the world, scared of falling. Everyone is different... tips.. be there... Listen... remember... remind him that someone will always love him no madder how much he tries to push you guys away. No madder how he tries to make it seem as if he is the worst person on earth so you don't feel bad when he is gone. Take care and hang in there.

many things or factors could be influencing the behavior of your father but especially the stroke. strokes damage parts of the brain killing the immediate area of cells from which it occurred. if the stroke happened in the area of his brain where emotions and empathy are stored it can dramatically effect one's behavior making them appear mean and dispirited. personality are know to change completely (think jeckle vs hyde) as result of damage to tshe brain. likewise with his aneurism to the heart, blood flow to tshe brain may have stopped for a period of time damaging it. Finally with his recent illnesses, he probably is quite depressed and as a result is trying to distant himself from loved ones. Probably he should speak with a therapist or doctor and possibly get antidepression drugs to help he over this time. Good luck and ho[e your father can return to his former self.

What does your dad's physician say about his behavior? Have you, or any of your siblings, accompanied your dad and mom to a doctor's visit recently? It's important that your dad's doctor is aware of the changes in his behavior. It's possible that the aneurysm and the stroke may have caused brain damage that led to the behavior; however, the are other possible causes too, and without describing these things to his doctor and then an exam, there is no way to tell what is causing his behavior.

In addition to having a discussion with your dad's doctor; you might want to see if there are any local support groups for the families of people who have had a stroke. Try calling your local American Heart Association, and also local groups for brain injuries.

Take care!

Yes, it is pretty common for people to change their behavior or personality after a brain stroke. The brain pattern gets disturbed. Part of his personality changes is also depression, since he cannot do the usual activities that he normally does. What he needs is a lot of understanding. I know that you are all frustated, but you have first to accept that that is your new "normal". Don't ever ever make him lose hope coz it will be very difficult for you to resurrect him from depression.
You are not alone in this problem, visit:
http://www.strokeassociation.org/present...
http://www.strokemd.net/

you can discuss with other people who are dealing with this crisis.

Might be the alcohol talking.