Common Psychiatric Problems in Dialysis Patients

In this article, common psychological problems of dialysis patients are presented. There are many organic, psychological and social problems which accompany the chronic renal failure. Beside changes of life style, the patients have to cope with and face dependency and death. Due to dialysis which lasts 4-6 hours and done three times a week, patients become dependent on dialysis machine, health care team and family. 

Beside the stage of illness, the length, the treatment type and patient’s capacity, due to psychological status, difficulty in adaptation and behavioral reactions, organic brain syndrom, anxiety reaction, depression, sexual and psychosocial problems are quite common. Because of these, functional status might deteriorate.

Beyond doubt, the most important factor which affects occurrence of psychiatric symptoms is the illness itself. The chronical illness impair the balance and adaptation of the patient, related to the patient’s personality, society, age, culture, perception of illness and difficulties due to illness, and thus coping abilities deteriorate. 

In conclusion, the patients undergoing dialysis should be followed up not only in medical aspect but also in psychiatric aspect. That approach will decrease psychiatric morbidity and will improve the patients’ quality of life.