Brain Aneurysm Without Rupture and Its Impact on Behavior: Insights to Consider
An unruptured brain aneurysm, while often asymptomatic, can have an impact on a person's psychological and behavioral health. The effects are primarily due to pressure on nearby brain structures or anxiety related to the diagnosis.
Though direct psychological symptoms are less common than after a rupture, behavioral and personality changes may occur if the aneurysm compresses brain areas involved in mood or cognition. Common symptoms associated with unruptured aneurysms can include headaches, vision changes, numbness or weakness, and difficulties with speech.
Lifestyle changes are key to managing unruptured brain aneurysms. Controlling high blood pressure, a major risk factor, is achieved through medication, diet, exercise, and stress management. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, which increase rupture risk, should be avoided. Regular medical monitoring and imaging are also essential to assess aneurysm stability. Managing stress and seeking psychological support if anxiety or mood disturbances occur are also recommended.
Symptoms that might indicate an unruptured aneurysm is affecting brain function include persistent headaches, vision problems, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, speech difficulty, or cranial nerve dysfunction due to pressure effects.
While the psychological effects of unruptured aneurysms are less severe than after rupture, they can still cause emotional distress. Monitoring, medical management of risk factors, and psychological support are key components of care.
In a crisis, a person should call 911 or their local emergency services number if they feel safe to do so. If a person is not in the same household as someone in crisis, they should stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Living with an unruptured brain aneurysm can affect how people feel and behave. Lifestyle changes, diagnosis and treatment, and adjusting to having an unruptured brain aneurysm may all contribute to these feelings. For support in crisis and suicide prevention, people can contact the 988 Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, or find a helpline in their country.
- The unruptured brain aneurysm, even when it's asymptomatic, can impact a person's psychological and behavioral health mainly due to pressure on nearby brain structures or anxiety related to the diagnosis.
- Behavioral and personality changes may occur if the aneurysm compresses brain areas involved in mood or cognition, which are part of the mental health spectrum.
- Common symptoms associated with unruptured aneurysms can include headaches, vision changes, numbness or weakness, and difficulties with speech – all of which are neurological disorders.
- Lifestyle changes, such as controlling high blood pressure through medication, diet, exercise, and stress management, are crucial for managing unruptured brain aneurysms.
- Managing stress, seeking psychological support if anxiety or mood disturbances occur, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are important steps in dealing with these medical-conditions.
- Symptoms that might indicate an unruptured aneurysm is affecting brain function may include persistent headaches, vision problems, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, speech difficulty, or cranial nerve dysfunction due to pressure effects.
- Living with an unruptured brain aneurysm can cause emotional distress, but support services such as the 988 Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, or helplines in different countries are available for health-and-wellness and mental-health concerns.
