[Psychological aspects during and after intensive care treatment of ARDS]

Approximately 10% of all patients requiring intensive care develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The COVID-19 pandemic led to an accumulation of patients with severe ARDS. The experience of this severe respiratory failure is accompanied by feelings of existential anxiety in many patients.The complexity of the challenges and stresses that the disease and its treatment pose for the ARDS patient require an early multiprofessional approach to treatment already during intensive care. Psychological approaches are suitable to support the patient as well as the relatives in coping with the disease and to minimise risks for potential subsequent stress. Despite the long-term impairments of patients who have survived ARDS and the resulting need for follow-up care, suitable multimodal follow-up care concepts and the necessary care structures are still lacking. The article presents the psychological support during and after the intensive care treatment of ARDS.