There are probably as many reasons for sedation as there are patients on the intensive care unit. Each patient is obviously unique and amongst many other needs, has their own personal requirements for sedation. Sedation should therefore be tailored to the individual’s clinical and holistic situation. There are broad purposes for sedating patients on the intensive care unit. The use and acceptability of these purposes varies between countries and individual intensive care units. However, reasonable sedation may be perceived to be a part of compassionate care of the patient by the clinical team. It helps the patient to cope with intolerable conditions, coupled with stress and anxiety when faced with life-threatening circumstances. The more frequent reasons for sedation are: treatment of specific conditions such as epilepsy, raised intracranial pressure, tetanus, amnesia – obliteration of unpleasant memories
of events such as injuries, procedures, and invasive treatment; reduction of stress.