My mom and I had an argument and stopped talking for about a year. I was her right hand I did everything for her. One day I get a phone call my mom is being unreasonable and saying all kinds of craziness even paranoid. She would say people are following her. After taking her to the hospital they discharged her the same day. Soon after I realized she wasn’t the same she had no emotion just blank stare in her eyes. I was concerned so I brought it up to her pcp and diagnosed her with depression. A month later she had a stroke now with her completely new personality she also was unstable to walk on her own for 3 weeks due to the stroke. She has really good memory can answer you question perfectly, but why has she changed.
Stroke is a brain injury. Effects vary widely & are more than the visible weakness often seen on one side of the body.
Certainly can include changes to mood, speech, thinking, continence. Fatigue is common.
A stroke is a life changing event. From here, the aims will be to;
1. Avoid further strokes (dx cause if possible, appropriate medication/treatment)
2. Rehab. Physio, Speech, OT as meets her needs.
3. Manage affects. Relearn tasks, have equipment that helps (walking aids), energy conservation for fatigue etc.
4. Mood support. If required -talk therapy or meds.
Since you mentioned 'no emotion' this *flat affect* may be relevant. Motivation for her recovery is very important. Flag this with her medical & rehab team.
Was there a diagnosed mental illness prior to the stroke?
I am sorry this happened to your Mother. Hopefully with a good care team & family support she will make the best recovery possible for her.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9599-delusional-disorder
The reason mom changed is because she is re-learning how to use her brain, literally.
She could have been having mini-strokes for the year you weren't speaking. A CT scan will show 'white spots' that are actually dead areas of the brain. The dr should follow up his visit with her with a scan of her brain. That may answer some questions.
I don't mean to sound condescending or anything--you didn't see or talk to your mom for a year, a lot of things could have happened. Just aging is rife with memory issues.
We change as we age. Everybody does. I'm sorry if your mom's changes are upsetting you, but try to just be helpful and supportive.