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Stress Disorders in Attendants of patients admitted in Intensive Care Unit

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Original Article

Author Details : Mohandeep Kaur, Vinod Bala Dhir, Michell Gulabani, Ira Balakrishnan

Volume : 2, Issue : 3, Year : 2015

Article Page : 161-168

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Abstract

Introduction Stress related issues among the family members of patients admitted to intensive care units are often ignored entities. Indian data on these issues is scarce. The study evaluates the various factors contributing to anxiety and depression among the attendants of ICU patients through a validated questionnaire and helps in understanding the communication and counseling by ICU staff as an important measure to reduce these entities. Materials and Methods A prospective observational study was carried out after obtaining ethical committee clearance and informed written consent for the study. It was planned as a questionnaire based study using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) proforma. Our study was conducted in an 1100 bedded tertiary care government hospital in Northern India which has a 10 bedded open ICU catering to multispeciality patients. Results From observations of the present study it was inferred that there is a high prevalence of anxiety and depression among the relatives of patients in ICU. Conclusion Majority of the attendants visiting patients in ICU suffer from symptoms of anxiety or depression. The major factors contributing to this include male patient, dependence of the attendants on the patient, inadequate information given by ICU doctors and poor financial status of the family. Recognition of abnormal signs of anxiety and depression, adequate counselling or even professional help by psychologists should be provided at the earliest possible which may help in reducing long term consequences like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Keywords: Hospital anxiety depression scale, Intensive care unit, Attendants, Stress disorders.

How to cite : Kaur M, Dhir V B, Gulabani M, Balakrishnan I, Stress Disorders in Attendants of patients admitted in Intensive Care Unit. Indian J Clin Anaesth 2015;2(3):161-168

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