Living the situation stress-experiences among intensive care patients

SummaryThe study is about the types of stress that patients in intensive care units experience. Ten reviewed articles selected from Cinahl and Pubmed between 1994 and 2003 constitute the data. The paper is a literature review, and the data is analysed from the phenomenological–hermeneutical point of view. Stress related to the body, room and relationships is discussed. Experiences of stress that are related to the body include bodily stress reactions, deprivation of control, emotions related to technical equipment, procedures and loss of meaning. Stress related to the room highlights the environment and the situation in which the patient finds him/herself. The ethical relations of professionals and separation of patients from their significant others constitute stress related to relationships.