The collective trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic is still apparent today. Even if we’re easing restrictions, more people are getting vaccinated, and we’re much closer to hitting herd immunity, there’s no denying that every single person has experienced some bit of trauma. However, the trauma is much more severe for COVID-19 patients who had to go through an ICU experience.
COVID-19 ICU survivors have seen it all. From people struggling to breathe even with ventilators, other patients dying with no family with them, and the stress-filled in each room, we imagine how difficult it is to see past this experience. Some of these survivors are now dealing with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
With that being said, one of the best ways to cope with this trauma is by getting psychotherapy treatment to put things into perspective. Sometimes, those struggling with mental disorders find it hard to understand their experience and need a proper strategy to help layout the foundations and realize the best ways to cope.
Putting the Spotlight on COVID-19 Survivors
As mentioned earlier, we’re all experiencing the collective COVID-19 trauma — we’re all grieving. Most have lost a loved one in the past year, their jobs, dreams, and plans. And with that, many of us have developed mental issues, such as depression, anxiety, body image issues, PTSD, and more. However, it’s much different for a set of people.
People admitted to intensive care with COVID-19 and who have survived are experiencing a new breed of trauma. If we were all dealing with uncertainty safely in our homes, they were dealing with uncertainty ten-fold with other people fighting for their life as well. With that, it’s difficult to predict precisely what their outcome would be.
What Went Behind Closed Doors
Today, there are still thousands of people in the ICU for COVID-19, and sadly, this is because 42 percent of the hospitalized people end up in the ICU. With that in mind, patients know that their chances are slimmer, and prognosis could worsen as time goes on, especially when they need to put on a ventilator.
Those who make it out and survive COVID-19 will have this visual of their experience ingrained in their minds, possibly making it their most traumatic experience to date. During their stay in the ICU, they would’ve seen doctors frantically reviving a patient, patients having difficulty breathing that they need to be intubated, patients sedated, so they won’t feel pain and more.
Seeing this and realizing that people have been taking breathing for granted have truly shaped how they’ll see things and how they’ll go through life.
With that being said, psychotherapy treatment can help put things into perspective and understand how to deal with this type of trauma. Besides that, having a solid and understanding support system can carry patients through the days post-ICU and during recovery.
The Bottom Line: It is Possible to Mitigate the Effects of a Traumatic ICU Experience
Patients who have survived COVID-19 and are admitted to the ICU have a lot of experience and memories they’ll have to carry for the rest of their lives. And undeniably, it may be difficult for them to make peace with what they have experienced.
Fortunately, psychotherapy treatment can help deal with these mental issues, and the right therapist can create customized methods that will help each patient with their trauma. Education, intervention, and learning how to be open about their experience can help improve the quality of their life and help make sense of their experience.
How Can Therapy 24×7 Help You?
COVID-19 has brought a lot of grief, anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and with that, it can be difficult to cope but know that you are not alone.
Therapy24x7 offers life-coaching services and psychotherapy in Brooklyn, New York. We provide support and create coping strategies and results-based therapy for stress management, clinical depression, chronic anxiety, grief, and more.
Learn more about how we can help you today — give us a call.