Introduction: post – stroke depression (PSD) is a common and significant complication that can greatly affect patients quality of life, rehabilitation outcomes, and long – term recovery. Due to the similarity betweem depressive symptoms and cognitive or neurological changes following a stroke, depression is often underrecognized, which may delay appropriate treatment and support. Purpose: the purpose of this diploma thesis was to examine post – stroke depressiong, present the risk factors associated with its development, and emphasize the importance of early recognition of symptoms and the role of nurses in the care of patients after stroke Methods: a descriptive research method with a review of scientific and professional literature in Slovene and Englesih was used. Literature was searched in the databases CINAHL Ultimate, ScienceDirect, PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and the Google Scholar search engine. Literature published between 2017 and 2026 was included in the review Results: the literature review showed that post – stroke depression is a frequent condition occurring in approximately one – third of patients after stroke. The most common risk factors include previous mental disorders, poor social support, and a higher degree of physical disability. Research findings emphasize that depression significantly affects quality of life, rehabilitation outcomes, and long – term recovery. Nurses play an important role in the early recognition of depression, as they are ofter the first to notice changes in patients mood and behavior due to their close contact with patients Discussion and conclusion: early recognition of post – stroke depression enables timely support and contributes significantly to better treatments outcomes. Successful patient care requires a holistic approach that includes not only physical recovery but also mental health care and suppport for family members.
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