Critical Illness increases risk of Psychiatric Illness

Patients with critical illness often experience pain or other stresses that put them at risk for developing psychiatric illness. These include anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. A new study examined how critical illness might contribute to psychiatric illness and the need for psychiatric medications after being admitted to the intensive care unit.  “These patients who had previously been at high risk of dying now survive but perhaps have long-term recovery problems.”  Dr. Derek Angus from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and co-authors examined the medical records of all patients in Denmark, admitted to an ICU over a three-year period. These patients also received help from a breathing machine. They were compared to other similar patients in the hospital and in the general population.  “Were you to be lucky enough to survive critical illness you are at an increased risk of having long-term risk of psychiatric illness and or a requirement for psycho-active medication after you leave the hospital.”  The study appears in JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association.