Embodied Sensory Deprivation Hypothesis (ESDH): An Evolutionary Model of Sensory Malnutrition Linking Interoceptive Dysregulation, Anxiety, and Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction.

Healthcare professionals working in intensive care units (ICUs) are exposed to a substantially increased risk of work-related psychological stress (). High workload, exposure to potentially traumatic events, and chronic strain are associated with elevated rates of burnout and post-traumatic stress reactions (). Reported burnout prevalence reaches up to 59.4%, accompanied by a high burden of clinically relevant stress symptoms (, ). These findings underline the need for early, preventive, and structurally embedded in-house support systems (). Corresponding recommendations have been outlined in the “Recommendations on the Structure and Equipment of Intensive Care Units” by the DIVI (German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine) sections “Perspective Resilience” and “Psychological Care Structures in Intensive Care Medicine.” These emphasize the implementation of psychosocial support structures for healthcare staff, including trained peer support as a central component (D.6.2 Personnel care: psychosocial support and strengthening of resilience) ().