Why does my loved one act that way?

The patient may awaken and feel confused about where he or she is and what has happened. He or she may also be anxious or in pain.

To reduce anxiety and pain, sedation (calming) and pain medication (analgesia) may be needed. Sedatives relax and calm the patient, causing sleep and possibly amnesia. Analgesics significantly diminish the pain. While sedated it may be difficult for the patient to think clearly.

Sedatives may be needed to prevent fighting against the breathing machine, the catheters, and even the nurses. This is very common in the intensive care unit. The fear that occurs in critical illness may be treated with sedatives. Calm, reassuring talk is always helpful.

Sometimes the medication that the patient receives may change his or her perception of what is happening. He or she may seem angry, combative, hostile, or just different. It is important that you relay to the nurse and doctor the difference in the patient’s personality, so a decision can be made about whether the medicine should be changed or if this change is unrelated to the medication.

The patient may act in ways that surprise and distress you. This may be a result of fear, frustration, or actual chemical changes in the body. Sometimes people say and do things that they would not ordinarily do.