"Dr. Gary Rodin, head of supportive care at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, says the trauma of going to the hospital for a life-threatening illness isn't so different from someone who has seen military combat or been the subject of a physical assault.
Jordan's case (mother of a 6yo boy who had extensive, painful maxillo-facial surgery) also exemplifies how PTSD can affect the patient's loved ones just as much as the patient, he said — especially parents, spouses and partners.
"She doesn't have the illness, but one of the people she cares most about — probably in the world — does," he explained. "Some of the highest rates in PTSD are in mothers of children who have a serious or life-threatening illness."
Rodin says hospital PTSD is far more common than many people realize. He's seen it develop in up to 25 per cent of patients who have cancer and other life-threatening conditions.
"What's not recognized is that one of the most common traumas human beings face is a serious medical illness," he told Goldman. "So especially at the time of diagnosis, or a complication, or when there's screening, all these things may trigger enormous anxiety."
Rodin and his team at Princess Margaret Hospital developed a program called Emotion and Symptom-focused Engagement (EASE) provides emotional support and anxiety management for people who are suffering from hospital-related PTSD.
"We know this kind of proactive intervention reduces PTSD symptoms ... and also reduces all kinds of other distress," he said.
Rodin says a short course of treatment can do wonders when PTSD is recognized early.”
“PTSD in the Hospital: Why the Emotional Scars of Serious Illnesses Linger Long after Treatment.” CBC’s White Coat Black Arts: http://www.cbc.ca/radio/whitecoat/ptsd-in-the-hospital-why-the-emotional-scars-of-serious-illnesses-linger-long-after-treatment-1.4590370
No comments:
Post a Comment