News Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Seen In Many Adults Living With Congenital Heart Disease

[MyPTSD]

Adults living with congenital heart disease may have a significantly higher risk of post-traumatic stress disorder than people in the general population. Clinicians and caregivers may need to be aware of possible PTSD symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, in their patients.
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[LuckyDuck]

I find there's multiple factors that can contribute to PTSD in a person with CHD.

1. Knowing the odds when going into surgery. Never good. For anyone going into open chest surgery, no matter the reason. The mental stress alone will start up symptoms
2. Complications after surgery. Especially with OHS. You can't go back in for a long time afterwards, if at all. Sometimes less invasive surgery isn't an option.
3. Isolation due to limitations post-surgery and recovery time.
4. Sleep deprivation. Meds, pain and stress all account for this.

Those are just the ones off the top of my head. I've seen it happen, as a supporter for someone who went through this. It's wrecks.

LD