“My head feels like it has gone through a mixer” – a qualitative interview study on recovery 1 year after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Abstract

Purpose

To describe patients’ perceived and expected recovery 1 year after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).

Materials and methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 persons 1 year after aSAH. Inductive manifest qualitative content analysis was used.

Results

The analysis resulted in two categories and seven subcategories. The category “A spectrum of varying experiences of recovery” includes four subcategories describing physical recovery, mental recovery, alterations in social life, and perceived possibilities to return to normality. Some informants felt that life was almost as before, while others described a completely different life, including a new view of self, altered relationships, not being able to return to work, and effects on personal finances. The category “A spectrum of reflections and expectations of recovery” comprises three subcategories depicturing that expectations of recovery were influenced by existential thoughts, describing what they based own expectations of recovery on, and how expectations from others influenced them.

Conclusions

aSAH was perceived as a life-changing event. The changes impacted on informants’ view of self and relationships, and they perceived new barriers in their living conditions. Lack of information on expected recovery was expressed and expectations of recovery were at times unrealistic.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Contracting an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a life-changing event with possible impact on a variety of areas in daily life.

• There is a need for improved information to aSAH survivors and their significant others on the course of the recovery and possible long-term consequences.

• aSAH survivors may need assistance to balance unrealistic expectations on recovery.

Keywords:

• Cognitive impairments
• life change events
• qualitative research
• return to work
• subarachnoid hemorrhage

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the informants in this study for their willingness to share their experiences.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by a grant from the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Stockholm Odd Fellow Lodge Memorial and Tribute Fund.