Psychological distress in patients admitted in an Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

This study aims to analyze psychological distress in critically ill patients and the potential modulating effect of sociodemographic and clinical variables. For this purpose a descriptive study of 40 patients was conducted. Results show anxiety and depression symptoms linked to ICU admission. Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-state) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Patients refer a higher subjective perception of general discomfort than of anxiety and depressed mood. 55% of patients show intermediate values of general stress, the main stressors being “to be in pain” and “to be bedridden”. Likewise, nearly significant differences by gender were found in anxiety. Therefore, the critically ill patient faces a particularly delicate situation in which he considers his life compromised, along with a great psychological impact and suffering, which should not be underestimated given the influence on patients’ recovery/survival.