Version July 2025
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What is post-intensive care syndrome? —
Post-intensive care syndrome ("PICS") is a condition that can happen in people who were treated in the intensive care unit ("ICU").
People with PICS have 3 main types of symptoms:
●Trouble thinking clearly, focusing, or remembering
●Depression, anxiety, or a related condition called post-traumatic stress disorder ("PTSD")
●Muscle weakness, trouble walking, or trouble moving certain body parts
A form of PICS can also affect the family members of people who were treated in the ICU. This is called "PICS-F." (The "F" stands for "family.") With PICS-F, the main symptoms are depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Will I need tests? —
Maybe. Your doctor will probably be able to tell if you have PICS based on your symptoms. But they might order tests to make sure something else is not causing your symptoms.
How is PICS treated? —
In general, treatment involves addressing the symptoms. That usually means combining a few different treatments.
If you have muscle weakness or trouble walking, your doctor will likely recommend you work with a physical therapist. They can help you learn exercises and ways to move your body to help you regain some strength and mobility.
If you have depression or anxiety, your doctor might prescribe medicines to help with symptoms. They will probably suggest you speak with a counselor or therapist.
If you have trouble thinking clearly, you might get special memory training to help you improve your focus and complete tasks.
Treatment for 1 type of PICS symptom usually also helps with other types. For example, people who regain the ability to move by working with a physical therapist often feel less depressed, too.
Can PICS be prevented? —
Maybe. If you are being treated in an ICU, try to get out of bed and move around as soon as your doctors say you can. Even if you feel weak or sick, it's important to move around as soon as possible.
If you are taking care of a loved one in the ICU, try to keep a diary of what happens each day. This might help your loved one feel less confused after they are released from the ICU. It might also help to try to do normal, everyday things with your loved one, even if you don't think they are aware of you. Speak to them, read aloud to them, or massage them, and do other things to make them comfortable. If you are having a hard time dealing with the illness, see your own doctor.
What will my life be like? —
Getting over PICS can take months to years, but many people do get better. If you have PICS, keep doing the treatments your doctor suggests. They can take a while to work, and you might not get totally back to normal, but many of the symptoms will likely improve.
If you are struggling with depression or anxiety, tell your doctor or nurse. There are treatments that can help.
Get help right away if you are thinking of hurting or killing yourself! —
Sometimes, people with depression think of hurting or killing themselves. If you ever feel like you might hurt yourself, help is available:
●In the US, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
•To speak to someone, call or text 988.
•To talk to someone online, go to chat.988lifeline.org.
●Call your doctor or nurse, and tell them it is an emergency.
●Call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1).
●Go to the emergency department at your local hospital.
If you think your partner might have depression, or if you are worried they might hurt themselves, get them help right away.
If you have PICS-F, know you are not alone. Many people have a hard time seeing a loved one suffer. Work with a counselor, and ask your own doctor for advice. Your symptoms might continue even after your loved one is released from the ICU. Make sure you take care of yourself, too.
Patient education: Evaluating memory and thinking problems (The Basics)
Patient education: Depression in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Medicines for depression (The Basics)
Patient education: When you have depression and another health problem (The Basics)
Patient education: Generalized anxiety disorder (The Basics)
Patient education: Post-traumatic stress disorder (The Basics)
Patient education: Weakness (The Basics)
Patient education: Going home from the hospital (The Basics)
Patient education: Medical care during advanced illness (The Basics)
Patient education: Advance directives (The Basics)
Patient education: Depression in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Depression treatment options for adults (Beyond the Basics)
