RSS Feeds

Earth Science

Space Science

Life Science

Fields of Scientific Study

Nanotechnology

Cancer

Definitions of The Fields of Scientific Study

PTSD endures over time in family members of ICU patients

September 22, 2008

Family members may experience post-traumatic stress as many as six months after a loved one's stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), according to a study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of California, San Francisco. The study, published online in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, found that symptoms of anxiety and depression in family members of ICU patients diminished over time, but high rates of post-traumatic stress and complicated grief remained.

"Our findings suggest that family members of patients in the intensive care unit are at risk for serious psychological disorders that may require treatment," said Cindy L. Bryce, Ph.D., associate professor of medicine and health policy and management at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. "Unfortunately, it may be difficult to identify these family members while their loved one is in the hospital because the symptoms that we can observe and measure early - anxiety and depression - do not seem to be associated with the longer term outcomes like post-traumatic stress disorder and complicated grief. This tells us that screening family members after hospitalization is crucial."

The study included 50 family members of patients who were admitted to the ICU. Researchers measured family members' level of anxiety and depression in the ICU and at one- and six-month follow-up. They also measured symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and complicated grief during the six-month follow-up interview.

Forty-two percent of family members exhibited symptoms of anxiety in the ICU. This percentage dropped to 15 percent at six-month follow-up. Likewise, 16 percent of family members displayed depression in the ICU that dropped to 6 percent at six months.

At six-month follow-up, 35 percent of all family members had post-traumatic stress while 46 percent of family members of patients who died had complicated grief. Surprisingly, post-traumatic stress was not more common in bereaved than non-bereaved family members.

"As doctors, we tend to think only of the patient in an intensive care situation," said Wendy Anderson, M.D., lead author and assistant professor, Division of Hospital Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. "Our results show that family members can be greatly influenced by a patient's ICU stay, and that this impact persists after the patient leaves the ICU."

University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences

Related Post-traumatic Stress Current Events and Post-traumatic Stress News Articles

Post-traumatic Stress Current Events and Post-traumatic Stress News RSS

New UAB Study Sheds Light on Brain's Response to Distress, Unexpected Events
In a new study, psychologists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) are able to see in detail for the first time how various regions of the human brain respond when people experience an unexpected or traumatic event.

Psychiatric impact of torture could be amplified by head injury
Depression and other emotional symptoms in survivors of torture and other traumatic experiences may be exacerbated by the effects of head injuries, according to a study from the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma (HPRT), based in the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Department of Psychiatry.

Use of cannabinoids (marijuana) could help post-traumatic stress disorder patients
Use of cannabinoids (marijuana) could assist in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder patients. This is exposed in a new study carried out at the Learning and Memory Lab in the University of Haifa's Department of Psychology.

MU Researchers Use Computational Models to Study Fear
The brain is a complex system made of billions of neurons and thousands of connections that relate to every human feeling, including one of the strongest emotions, fear.

Researchers unravel mystery behind long-lasting memories
A new study by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine may reveal how long-lasting memories form in the brain.

PTSD associated with higher Alzheimer's/dementia risk; moderate alcohol consumption may lower it
Though discoveries about Alzheimer's disease risk factors are often in the news, adults do not know about the relationship between Alzheimer's disease risk and heart health, nor that physical activity can be protective against dementia.

Neuroscience research could benefit US Army, yet challenge traditional approaches
Advances in neuroscience research could benefit the Army, particularly in areas of soldier training and education. However, an emerging trend of using individual variability in neural processes such as cognition, stress response, and decision making to improve group performance is likely to challenge conventional approaches to training and educating soldiers.

Witnessing violence affects kids' health
School-aged children who witness violence in urban communities show symptoms of post-traumatic stress. They also suffer physiological effects with a disruption to their normal cortisol production pattern during the day, which may have long-term negative effects on their health.

Controlling our brain's perception of emotional events
Research performed by Nicole Lauzon and Dr. Steven Laviolette of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario has found key processes in the brain that control the emotional significance of our experiences and how we form memories of them.

Researchers reveal how the brain processes important information
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have shed light on how the neurotransmitter dopamine helps brain cells process important information.

More Post-traumatic Stress Current Events and Post-traumatic Stress News Articles

	The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook: A Guide to Healing, Recovery, and Growth by Glenn Schiraldi (Author) The Definitive Resource for Trauma Survivors, Their Loved Ones, and Helpers Trauma can take many forms, from witnessing a violent crime or surviving a natural disaster to living with the effects of abuse, rape, combat, or alcoholism. Deep emotional wounds may seem like they will never heal. However, with The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook, Dr. Glenn Schiraldi offers a remarkable range of treatment alternatives and self-management techniques, showing survivors that the other side of pain is recovery and growth. Live your life more fully-without fear, pain, depression, or self-doubt Identify emotional triggers-and protect yourself from further harm Understand the link between PTSD and addiction-and how to break it Find the best treatments and...
	Conquering Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: The Newest Techniques for Overcoming Symptoms, Regaining Hope, and Getting Your Life Back by Victoria Lemle Beckner (Author), John B. Arden (Author) More than 13 million Americans experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and one out of 13 adults will develop it in their lifetime. Recent worldwide crises and events including the Iraq war; the September 11th attacks; numerous Columbine-like events; the Catholic Church child molestation scandal; and the Katrina tragedy in New Orleans, continue to present thousands more PTSD cases each year in all age groups. This book helps victims make sense of the events that led to their illness and teaches them how to create a new reality with specific advice and action plans that put them on the road to recovery and long-term healing.
	PTSD: Living In a Stressful World - Understanding and Overcoming Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Starring: Jef Gazley M.S. LMFT Directed By: Russ Wagner This psychology video explains the causes and development of PTSD. Over a period of time, overwhelming shock and/or shocking experiences can cripple your ability to deal effectively in the present day. This problem often develops when people grow up in dysfunctional families. You will see yourself here, and discover that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is not something mysterious, and is curable. This tape was used as research for the movie "The Manchurian Candidate" (2004).
	Trouble in Mind: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [VHS] Starring: Trouble in Mind
	Healing from Post-Traumatic Stress by Monique Lang (Author) An effective, life-affirming guide to help you get through your traumatic experience Written by an experienced psychotherapist who has helped hundreds of trauma victims in her private practice, workshops, and lectures, this unique, progressive approach to healing is designed to help you cope with the aftermath of a stressful event. An informative guide with a user-friendly format, this workbook invites you to participate in the process of your recovery, using simple anxiety-reducing exercises, revealing questions, yoga and meditation tools, art therapy, writing, and other therapeutic techniques.
	I Have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Also With: MTVN (Producer)
	Overcoming Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder A Cognitive-Behavioral Exposure-Based Protocol for the Treatment of PTSD and the Other Anxiety Disorders. About this Protocol: An 11-24-session treatment for individual adults struggling with PTSD. Interventions include relaxation response and applied relaxation training, eye-movement technique, cognitive restructuring, marginal brief exposure, prolonged exposure, and relapse prevention. Includes: a consistent format and organization; a detailed session-by-session treatment program that includes worksheets, homework assignments, in-session treatment exercises, and didactic material; specific assessment measures - both for the target disorder and for the overall treatment program; a treatment plan summary for managed care requirements. 190 pages.
	Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Adonys (Primary Contributor)
	Hemi-Sync De-Hab Health Exercise CD by Monroe Products With this Hemi-Sync blended CD, the listener is guided through beneficial brain states. The states are heightened by the Hemi-Sync signals, where the listener can opt to eliminate or diminish undesirable mental, emotional or physical habits. Use anytime to conteract unproductive emotions, or use to follow behavior patterns that lead to days free of anger, anxiety, fear, thoughts of failure, and cycles of negativity.
	Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder For Dummies (For Dummies (Psychology & Self Help)) by Mark Goulston (Author) As Dr. Mark Goulston tells his patients who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), "The fact that you’re still afraid doesn’t mean you’re in any danger. It just takes the will and the way for your heart and soul to accept what the logical part of your mind already knows." In Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder For Dummies, Dr. Goulston helps you find the will and shows you the way. A traumatic event can turn your world upside down, but there is a path out of PTSD. This reassuring guide presents the latest on effective treatments that help you combat fear, stop stress in its tracks, and bring joy back into your life. You'll learn how to: Identify PTSD symptoms and get a diagnosis Understand PTSD and the nature of trauma Develop a PTSD treatment...