Preventing Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome After Health Trauma

A study published in the journal Critical Care shows that support from loved ones and hospital staff decreases the risk of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in patients who have undergone a major intensive-care intervention.

Researchers gave 65 survivors of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome questionnaires regarding their time spent in the Intensive Care Unit of their hospital and life after discharge.

Eighteen of these patients were identified as being at high risk for PTSD. While there was no correlation between this risk and the severity of their attack, the patients most at risk reported greater anxiety levels and significantly lower perceptions of support compared with the other survivors. Overall, higher perceptions of social support were tied to a lower risk of PTSD.

Read more: Social support improves mental health after a traumatic health care intervention