Patient education: Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) (The Basics)

What is post-intensive care syndrome (PICS)? — Post-intensive care syndrome is a condition that happens in people who have been treated in the intensive care unit (often called the "ICU").

People with post-intensive care syndrome, also called "PICS," have 3 main types of symptoms. They can have:

●Trouble thinking clearly, focusing, or remembering

●Depression, anxiety, or a related condition called post-traumatic stress disorder (often called "PTSD")

●Muscle weakness, trouble walking, or trouble moving certain body parts

A form of PICS can also affect the family members of people who have been treated in the ICU. When it affects a family member, the condition is called "PICS-F." (The "F" stands for "family.") Among family members, 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. Still, there's a chance they will want to order tests to make sure something else is not causing your symptoms.

How is PICS treated? — In general, treatment involves addressing whichever symptoms are present. Often, that means combining a few different treatments.

If you have muscle weakness or trouble walking, your doctor will likely recommend that you work with a physical therapist. A physical therapist can help you learn exercises and ways to move your body that will help you regain some strength and mobility. If you have depression or anxiety, your doctor might prescribe medicines to relieve the symptoms and suggest that you speak to a counselor. If you have trouble thinking clearly, you might get special memory training to help you improve your focus and complete tasks.

When it comes to PICS, doctors have found that treatments that help with 1 type of symptom often also help 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 it's OK to do so. 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 the things that happen each day. Having a diary might help your loved one feel less confused after they are released from the ICU. It might also be helpful to try to do normal, everyday things with your loved one – even if you don't think they are aware of you. Speak to, read aloud to, or massage your loved one, 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 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 www.988lifeline.org/chat.

●Call your doctor or nurse and tell them that 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 that they might hurt themselves, get them help right away.

If you have PICS-F, know that 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 input. Your symptoms might continue even after your loved one is released from the ICU. Make sure you take care of yourself, too.

More on this topic

Patient education: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (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: Post-traumatic stress disorder (The Basics)