Critical illness and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - psychology tools

Welcome to this Psychology Tools guide to critical illness, intensive care, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It can be downloaded in manner languages by following this weblink:

https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/critical-illness-intensive-care-and-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/

Psychology Tools’ mission is twofold: to ensure that therapists worldwide have access to the high-quality evidence-based tools they need to conduct effective therapy, and to be a reliable source of psychological self-help for the public. We have made this guide freely available because, as a result of the current global health crisis, many more people than usual are having serious medical experiences. These include admissions to hospital with breathing difficulties, or transfers to critical care (intensive care) units. A significant proportion of these people will go on to develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This guide is for:

• People who have survived a frightening medical experience, such as being admitted to critical care (intensive care).
• People who have been hospitalized with severe medical problems related to COVID-19.
• Their family and friends.
• Mental health and medical professionals who want to understand more about how to help.

If you have had any of the experiences described in this guide, you might find some of the examples ‘triggering’ or upsetting. Remember that there is nothing in this guide which can harm you, and that learning about what has happened (and is still happening) to you can help your recovery. We suggest that you read it slowly in sections, and that if you find it too overwhelming to approach it with the help of a health professional.