Hi Elizabeth, it is perfectly normal to be still be affected after a year and in some ways you are still recovering. There is help available out there but unfortunately sometimes you have to be proactive in finding it. Speak to your GP and maybe contact the unit you wre in to see if they have any follow up services. Also in March 2009, The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) produced guidelines on Critical Care Rehabilitation which many hospitals are looking at implementing. You can see the guidelines at the NICE website. Alternatively you could look up CRITPAL and ICU steps online which may offer support. I was in ICU for a month 11 years ago and my recovery took a while and in some ways the biggest step in my recovery was accepting that I had changed and what had happened to me. You will get there it just takes time. Also, people around you won't understand regardless of their age unless they have experienced it but try and remember that they have their own reality of what happened and that they may also be trying to come to terms with it. Good luck.

I am in the same position as you-also had septicaemia and was in ICU. It has been about 8 months since I was admitted and I have since made a pretty full recvery. At the time of illness I was 19-massive contrast as had only been on childrens wards until this point. Am also finding it a difficult thing to get over-often have flashbacks. I know its stupid but... its difficult and no-one my age understands. Just found this site-very impressed, however does anyone know if there is any other available help out there? is it normal to still be affected nearly a year later, even though ive made a full recovery?? Thanks