Patients' Dreams and Unreal Experiences During Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Hospitalization.
Cureus January 1, 2024 Konstantina Dimou, Agapi L Batiridou, Fotios Tatsis et al.
Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) often retain fragmented memories of dreams and unreal experiences that can affect their psychosocial well-being. A systematic review of nine studies categorized these dreams as positive, distressing (including nightmares), or neutral. Two studies linked dream experiences to Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), mental abnormalities, and delirium; GBS patients reported more vivid dreams, hallucinations, and delusions than ICU controls, and delirious patients reported more frequent frightening dreams. Patients who recalled dreams tended to have more severe illness, longer stays, and higher ventilation frequency. Three studies consistently found that prolonged ICU stay significantly predicted dream recall, suggesting extended treatments. Recognizing these psychological aspects in post-ICU care is critical for alleviating enduring emotional consequences.