title: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after critical illness: A conceptual review of distinct clinical issues and their implications.
abstract: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that develops after critical care may be marked by a unique constellation of symptoms that differ, for example, from the symptoms that develop in response to more traditional traumas such as combat or assault.
  
  
  
  We describe ways in which symptoms of PTSD after critical illness can be clinically engaged, drawing from literature pointing to "best treatment" practices in other settings. And, we discuss the relevance of intensive care unit (ICU) related PTSD to rehabilitation psychologists and explain why rehabilitation psychologists are well suited to identify and treat ICU-related PTSD.
  
  
  
  In this conceptual review, drawing from both empirical findings and theoretical models, we surmise that traumatized survivors of critical illness demonstrate 2 central clinical features-avoidance and reexperiencing.
  
  
  
  The potentially unique clinical profile of ICU-related PTSD likely requires unique assessment and treatment practices. These services may be best provided by providers with expertise in providing coordinated care, such as rehabilitation psychologists. Next steps should include empirical study to determine whether practices that are empirically supported in other settings may be translated to the ICU and post-ICU hospitalization for critical illness survivors. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy/Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Center for Health Services Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center.
authors.forename: Jennifer E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Jutte
authors.affiliation: Houston Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
authors.forename: Cashuna Huddleston
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Temple University.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ciccolella
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Baylor University.
authors.forename: Hillary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Warrington
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy/Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sevin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Oscar J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Bienvenu
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D000070516:Intersectoral Collaboration; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011586:Psychology, Clinical; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology