Critical Care Psychology Service

Patient Information Leaflet

How you might feel during critical care

• Critical care can be a scary place for patients and their loved ones.
• The treatments you are given that are needed to support your body can sometimes affect your mind as well.
• It is normal to experience gaps in memory, have vivid dreams, nightmares or hallucinations.
• You can feel confused, and experience a mixture of emotions such as fear, anxiety, loneliness, depression or uncertainty.

How you might feel recovering after critical care

• Recovering from critical illness can take time.
• Many people experience a range of feelings and reactions in the weeks or months that follow, including:
  • Feeling upset, tearful, or overwhelmed
  • Vivid dreams, nightmares, or flashbacks
  • Tiredness or low energy
  • Difficulty remembering what happened in hospital
  • Feeling like you've changed as a person
  • Worrying about becoming ill again
  • Confusing or strange memories
  • Loss of confidence.
• These are common and understandable responses to what you've been through.

How can a Psychologist help?

• Psychologists are trained to support people with the emotional and psychological impact of physical illness and medical treatment.
• We are not doctors and do not prescribe medicines, but we work with your healthcare team to help you feel better and handle what you're going through.
• We offer a space to talk about your thoughts and feelings, explore any worries or challenges you have, and support you in making sense of your experience.
• Together, we'll build on your strengths and explore ways to manage distress, so you can feel more in control during a difficult time.

Ways we can help

• Understand and manage distressing thoughts, feelings and memories.
• Make sense of your experience in critical care.
• Try out new ways of coping.
• Manage the uncertainty around your health and treatment.
• Reflect on how illness has affected you and those close to you.

Support for family members

• Having a loved one in critical care can be overwhelming.
• The Psychologist can support you to make sense of what is happening and provide a space to express your thoughts and feelings.
• We can also connect you with local and national services that provide practical and emotional support.

What next?

• If you or a loved one are interested in meeting with the Psychologist, please talk to your ward Doctor or Nurse and they can refer you.
• You can also contact us with any questions you have.

Contact our service

Critical Care Psychology email: Whh-tr.ccuchp@nhs.net

Clinical Health Psychology administrator: 020 7527 1538

Useful support

ICU Steps is a charity with lots of useful information on their website for people and their families who have experienced critical illness: www.icusteps.org

Carers UK is a charity that offers advice and support for people looking after a loved one: www.carersuk.org