ORLANDO, Fla. — The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Oxford found that 25-30% of individuals who endure deeply distressing events, such as a hospital ICU stay, develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

University of Central Florida nursing professor Dr. Brian Peach, who is also an ICU nurse, is researching the phenomenon.

UCF Restores is a leading resource in Central Florida for researching and treating PTSD cases, which is why Peach has partnered with the organization to research the post-traumatic stress felt by some ICU patients. This condition, known as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), is a relatively new term. This research is driving efforts to raise awareness about the complexities of the syndrome. 

What began as a routine out-patient surgery quickly turned into a life-altering experience for Central Florida resident Cheryl Thompson. She ended up having to stay in the intensive care unit and PICS became her reality in the aftermath of the unexpected complications.

“I suffered cardiac arrest nine days after my surgery," Thompson said. "Luckily, I was in the hospital and my husband alerted the nurses that I had coded. Once I had suffered the cardiac arrest, I was intubated and put in a medically induced coma and brought to the ICU."

When she woke up, Thompson said she embarked on an entirely new journey — not just for her, but the people who cared for her.

“It’s just traumatic for them as well as me," Thompson said. "So, they saw me during a time they weren’t sure I would live. I don’t remember that time, but I have these crazy dreams of remembering that time."

It wasn’t just the physical healing she had to endure, but the mental recovery as well.

After being released from the ICU and sensing something wasn’t right, Thompson came across Peach’s research on PICS.

“As an ICU Nurse we have the opportunity to save people’s lives," Peach said. "I did not want people to have a terrible quality of life after we saved their lives. It’s not what I want, it’s not what any ICU clinician would want.

"I saw this as an opportunity to try and help people who are dealing with trauma symptoms after they’ve survived a very traumatic experience in the ICU."

Therapy for PICS happens over a two-week time period where a therapist helps desensitize patients with everyday triggers that may remind them of their time in the ICU.

“Often times, when someone comes out of the ICU after being under the effects of sedation, they have terrible memories of their time in the ICU," Peach said. "Hallucinations, delusions, sometimes they have these very traumatic dreams that they live with. Our goal is to try to help people so that they are no longer reacting every time they encounter triggers that remind them of their time in the ICU."

The study has been going on for a couple of years and Peach said it has seen huge success in ICU patients experiencing PTSD symptoms. One of those success stories is Thompson.

Part of going through treatment is being immersed with a similar environment through a virtual reality system, which uses sights, sounds and smells.

“I was so scared — I was right back to the ICU because I could see the hospital room, and I can hear the beeping and the sounds of the ventilator machine," Thompson said of the treatment. "I was back in the environment that created that trauma."

Thompson said at first it was difficult, but after several sessions she was able to tell her story without reacting the way she used to. With the treatment she received at UCF Restores, Thompson said it has helped her get back to normal.

“Now I’m sleeping much better," she said. "It’s not perfect, but it’s so much better. I am able to experience things in life again."

Now Thompson is getting involved in advocating for more resources for PICS research. She’s partnering with Peach making sure people are aware of the syndrome and the treatment for PICS sufferers that can allow them to get the help they need to live a quality life after the ICU.