Psychiatric Aspects of Hemodialysis and Kidney Transplantation.
10.3349/ymj.1984.25.2.122
- Author:
Sung Kil MIN
1
;
Kyung Hee KIM
;
Jong Ho SHIN
;
Jung Ok HAN
;
Ky Yun LEE
;
Weon Ryong KANG
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
hemodialysis;
kidney transplantation;
donors;
psychiatric reactions;
the family;
nurses in hemodialysis unit;
Koreans
- MeSH:
dult;
Aged;
Female;
Human;
Kidney Transplantation*;
Korea;
Male;
Middle Age;
Renal Dialysis/psychology*;
Transplantation, Homologous/psychology*
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
1984;25(2):122-132
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
A series of clinical studies on the psychiatric aspects of hemodialysis and kidney transplantation were done with Korean patients, kidney donors, their families and unit nurses. All subjects were interviewed and evaluated for their psychiatric reactions and symptoms and for the underlying causes. Depression was the most common reaction, although the clinical features were somewhat different between groups studied. In addition, a unique and episodic psychotic syndrome was found in four patients. Depression and psychotic episodes seemed to reflect the psychodynamic components such as instinctual frustration, physical, familial and financial loss, dependency on a machine, sensory deprivation and the so-called fear of death and fear of life. These seemed to follow the unique features of hemodialysis and transplantation. The main defense mechanism seemed to be denial. The possible role of psychiatrists was discussed for evaluation, treatment, and prevention of these reactions and for the support of the family and the treatment team.
