Hot topics close

Cases of Covid related PTSD to rocket with NHS staff most at risk

Cases of Covid related PTSD to rocket with NHS staff most at risk
THE pandemic could trigger more than 200,000 new cases of post-traumatic stress disorder, experts warn. And they fear frontline health staff and some severely ill Covid patients are most at risk.

PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. The Royal College of Psychiatrists said latest estimates by the NHS Strategy Unit suggest there could be 230,000 new referrals between 2020-21 and 2022-23. In a poll of intensive care staff working during the first wave of the pandemic, two in five reported symptoms of PTSD. That is more than twice the rate found among military veterans with recent combat experience, the college said.

Separate research found 35 per cent of Covid patients put on ventilators suffer PTSD.

One such patient, Dee, 52, said: “I experienced severe anxiety about my breathing problems.

“This included intrusive visions of staff in PPE suits taking me to hospital.”

Professor Neil Greenberg, editor of the college’s new online resource for PTSD patients, said: “It’s a common misunderstanding that only people in the Armed Forces can develop PTSD.

“Anyone exposed to a traumatic event is at risk. If left untreated it can ruin the lives of those who suffer from it.”

He added NHS staff “are at increased risk as a result of this unprecedented crisis”.

Danny Mortimer, of the NHS Confederation, said: “Healthcare leaders are keenly aware of how important it is to offer as much support as possible to a tired and exhausted workforce.”

The college’s PTSD tool is at www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/problems-disorders/post-traumatic-stress-disorder

Similar news
News Archive
  • Sean Coyle
    Sean Coyle
    Sean Coyle returns to present new show on BBC Radio Foyle
    9 Sep 2019
    5
  • Exit polls
    Exit polls
    Election exit polls show economy, immigration and democracy ...
    6 Nov 2024
    3
  • Steve McManaman
    Steve McManaman
    Steve McManaman suggests ‘brilliant’ Liverpool player was actually ‘awful’ last night
    5 May 2022
    2
  • Ocrelizumab
    Ocrelizumab
    Early Treatment With Genentech's Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) Leads to Reduced Disease Progression and Healthcare ...
    26 Oct 2022
    2
  • Grok 3
    Grok 3
    Musk's xAI releases Grok-3, touting a new rival to OpenAI and ...
    14 days ago
    3
  • 3 Body Problem
    3 Body Problem
    3 Body Problem: Netflix's new sci-fi epic made me feel incredibly ...
    21 Mar 2024
    10
This week's most popular news