Aftermath

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Anchor lead: What are some of the consequences of ICU stays for Covid-19? Elizabeth Tracey reports

Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is common after ICU stays, as well as a host of other problems. Adam Kaplin, a psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins who is working with many Covid-19 survivors, says one common theme he sees is stigma.

Kaplin: The stigma is such a profound aspect of this. They feel like they’ve got leprosy when they’re there because everybody’s gowned and everything like that, so there’s stigma in the hospital, then they go home and they’re told to isolate from their family because they don’t know how long it’s going to take for them to be negative. They go to their room and they cocoon in their room and now the room becomes the safe place for them, and then they’re terrified of leaving the room.  :27

Kaplin says a big part of his job is helping people to leave the comfort of their room and go to rehab appointments and re-establish more normal relationships with family and friends. He says everyone’s recovery will proceed at its own pace so patience is needed. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.