Providing Psychological Support to People in Intensive Care

Patients are kept in intensive care when they are seriously ill. While the hospital staff is focused on treating them, it’s important to recognise that these individuals also need extra support.

Plus, it is safe to say that no one wants to land up in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for any reason. Therefore, dedicated Psychological support becomes crucial to care for patients’ mental wellbeing.

Let us delve deeper into the role of Psychologists in providing support to patients in an ICU.

How Do Patients in Critical Care Cope With Their Ordeals?

We all deal with stress differently. Some patients have more resilience than others, and some find it easier to talk about their feelings than others.

Some prefer to keep their feelings to themselves, focusing solely on the positive aspects of life instead of dwelling on the negative. There’s no right or incorrect way to deal with trauma; it’s all about how you feel most comfortable coping with your experiences.

Still, for patients staying in the ICU, psychological support becomes necessary. It helps them cope with their treatment and recover, as well as stay healthy by preventing stress and anxiety from taking over their bodies.

When people are chronically stressed or traumatised, their bodies’ stress response systems stay revved up in a state of hyperarousal, causing them to have higher blood pressure and higher cortisol levels—the stress hormone.

The Importance of Recognising These Emotions in a Timely Manner

It’s simple. The longer the stay, the lesser the patients’ biological and psychological stability.

Psychological support can considerably improve their recovery time. When patients are treated in an ICU setting, they often have to face both physical and psychological challenges, such as surgeries or long hospital stays that can cause stress or depression.

Stressful conditions that critical patients are exposed to often have a detrimental effect on their response to diseases. This is due to:

• The increase in their cardiovascular effort, and
• Oxygen consumption.

These can lead to longer recovery times unless they receive proper emotional & Psychological support from loved ones and Psychologist(s) who visit regularly.

Emotional Responses to Sounds & Sights of the ICU

It is completely natural to have strong emotional responses when you visit someone in intensive care. This can be distressful for the patient, their family and friends, as well as other people who work in intensive care units (ICUs).

Everyone reacts differently to discomfort & stress, and it’s okay to not hold yourself responsible if you find yourself feeling upset or distressed by what happens in ICUs.

How Do Negative Emotions Affect the Health of Patients?

Lack of emotional support for patients can have a lot of harmful effects.

Discomfort & Distress

• Thirst
• Insomnia
• Pain
• Restraint nakedness
• Inability to speak
• Immobility
• Noise & light exposure
• Trouble breathing
• Confusion
• Inability to determine current time & day
• Hopelessness
• Loneliness
• Seeing other patients
• A feeling of loss of control

Adverse Reactions of Patients

• Aggression
• Removal of tubes
• Resisting procedures
• Anxiety
• Rage
• Sadness
• Depression
• Delusion
• PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders)
• Delirium

Areas to work on

• Attention to patient
• Attention to family members and caregivers
• Work with healthcare personnel

Let’s take a look at the impact of emotional support on health and well-being.

• Emotional support can improve the quality of life. Patients who receive regular visits from family members or friends tend to feel better, experience fewer physical symptoms, and have a reduced risk of death.
• Psychological Treatment reduces stress levels. Stress is an important risk factor for many chronic illnesses such as heart disease or cancer—and it can also make existing conditions worse by promoting inflammation in the body (a process that causes damage to cells).
• By helping patients relax when they’re feeling stressed out (e.g., by listening attentively), a Psychologist can help protect them from illness and improve their overall well-being over time.
• Patients who receive emotional support from a mental health professional are less likely to develop a range of illnesses than people who don’t receive any help with this kind of caregiving work.

What Kinds of Psychological Support is Needed for Patients in Critical Care?

Family and friends are the first lines of support for patients. They can help with practical tasks like cleaning, cooking, and childcare.

Psychological treatment or support from a trained professional is also important. Counselling or therapy can help patients deal with their emotions and feelings about being in intensive care.

Patients may feel confused, angry or upset at what has happened to them or their loved ones. A Psychologist will listen carefully to their story, use effective techniques such as active listening to urge them to talk about what’s bothering them, and look for ways of coping with these difficult feelings.

Besides, a mental health professional can help patients deal with the stress of being in the ICU. It is crucial for patients to discuss their emotions with a Psychologist because these feelings could get in the way of recovery if left unchecked or ignored altogether.

Consult the Best Psychologist at Amandeep Hospital

Patients admitted to the ICUs may have to cope with feelings such as anxiety, fear and anger. Unsurprisingly, they need all the possible support to come out through this difficult time.

A patient’s family members and friends can be of great help by offering their love. Nonetheless, a trained, professional Psychologist plays an integral role in lending an ear and providing emotional support to process pain & grief.

At Amandeep Hospital, we understand the psyche of our patients and what they go through during their time in the ICU. That’s why we offer them dedicated support through the best Psychologist in Amritsar.

Our Psychologists offer empathetic support and treatment for a wide range of problems, be it a mental health disorder, behavioural issues, emotional problems, etc.

If you want to learn more, reach out to us today!