Post Intensive Care Syndrome–Family

Anyone who has had a family member in intensive care can speak to the enormous stress it puts on individuals and families. The fears, the hours of long vigil, and the attempt to support the ill family member, and one another, takes it’s toll. A new study documents the stress on family and even coined the new term, in the title, to describe it.
One forth of family members develop symptom of depression during ICU stays; one third if the patient is a child. Not well measured are the stress related illnesses brought on or exacerbated by lack of sleep and agitation. In the event of a death, all stress, as well as anxiety and depression, are compounded by grief, with more severe consequences. Old family conflicts reemerge compounded by practical concerns. So what’s a family to do?
If you have a seriously ill family member, remember to pace yourself. Good self care is paramount, including adequate sleep and food. Don’t use this as a time to resolve old family issues, but support one another through the crisis. Keep in mind, the doctors don’t really need your assistance, so endless google searches to share with the staff are not helpful. You will only visit a few short minute daily, so finding a good place to rest (home!) makes sense. The nurses can get your cell number. If the patient survives, or not, that is when your energy will be needed.
And, finally, accept the life’s reality of loved ones passing and grief as a natural process. Don’t let technology get in the way of having this experience. This will happen to us all someday, as support or patient, and a little psychological preparation can help you through.