Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Intensive Care

Overview

The aim of our work was to specify in detail mental trauma experienced by the critically ill patients during the treatment in intensive care unit.Physical deprivation, fear of death and pharmacological sedation in patients who survive intensive care lead to biopsychosocial process which has allthe attributes of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We analyzed the group of 26 patients who had returned from the intensive care unit to everydaylife. For the diagnosis of PTSD we used standard patient exploration guided by the psychologist, STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and MHQ(Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire) questionnaires, and drawing projection techniques. Manifestation of acute posttraumatic stress disorder wasevidently the most intensive in the period of decreasing dose of analgosedation drugs. The traumatic emotional experiences and emotional memorycan be visible for the whole future life of patients. The consequences of the primary disease are complicated by PTSD which decrease their quality oflife. These patients need psychotherapy and pharmacological treatment.

Key words:
posttraumatic stress disorder – analgosedation – emotional experience – emotional memory