Patients surviving severe critical illness commonly develop post intensive care syndrome (PICS). The syndrome consists of a constellation of cognitive dysfunction, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder combined with physical weakness. Different contributing risk factors for development of PICS have been identified. Furthermore, close family members of the patient are at risk of developing similar psychiatric manifestations. Focus should be on early preventive measures during hospitalization and post-ICU follow-up with a multidisciplinary approach.