Intensive care 'has lasting impact on mental health'

Some 55% of people who survive intensive care treatment go on to develop psychological disorders. A study carried out at University College London Hospitals intensive care unit by a multidisciplinary team including Professor Monty Mythen found high levels of depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder.

The article in the Critical Care Journal reports certain drugs combined with stress in hospital seemed to cause longer term problems.

Dr. Dorothy Wade, one of the authors, said: "Our hypothesis is that patients suffer stress and delirium in the ICU due to invasive treatments and powerful drugs received, and those who suffer those stress reactions are more likely to have adverse psychological outcomes in the long-term."

Patients are given these drugs and invasive treatments to help them survive the problems associated with being critically ill, such as hypoxia.