Resource Tag: RENAL DIALYSIS PATIENTS

Renal dialysis patients decide to discontinue treatment for a variety of reasons & only when the physician understands the specific problem can the appropriate treatment be selected. Main reasons cited by the author are: a wish to manipulate others; conflicts about dependency; a wish to commit suicide; a rejection of the lifestyle that involves the […]

Paracetamol is being used increasingly in suicide attempts & poses a major problem, as ill effects can be delayed (Hepatic failure is the main cause of death). Therefore, the difficult question of reducing toxic blood levels by dialysis before the dose taken is confirmed must be addressed. To be effective, treatment must start early; however, […]

The authors review factors affecting morbidity & mortality of long-term haemodialysis patients. Included is a brief section outlining psychological stressors that may precipitate suicide in this type of patient.

This paper reviews the literature related to social work with patients suffering from end-stage renal disease. It discusses the history of kidney dialysis and transplantation, the stages of adaptation to treatment, & suggested social work approaches. Special attention is given to children & families, home dialysis, & staff problems.

Most patients receiving chronic hemodialysis consider withdrawing from it if the “quality of life” available to them &/or their families is not sufficient. It would benefit most patients to openly discuss this option with the staff early in the program, thus making it a legitimate topic for discussion later when they may consider it more […]

Psychiatric morbidity in a sample of 85 patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis was assessed using standard questionnaires. Psychiatric symptoms were found to be more frequent in women than in men, in those on home dialysis, in those living in rural areas, in unemployed men & in those with disturbed nuclear family. Interview responses revealed a high […]

This paper discusses the stresses, losses & restrictions which renal dialysis imposes on the patient, his family & other caretakers. Dependency & independence in chronic illness, the use of denial as a defense mechanism, alterations in body image, attitudes toward life & death are all discussed in terms of the psychological reactions to the stress […]

Possible reasons why some terminally ill patients develop suicidal tendencies are discussed in this paper. Three such patients are described and the author suggests how, by addressing the patients’ needs to feel an increased sense of mastery over their circumstances, the risk of suicide can be decreased.

Compared the suicide rates of patients on regular renal dialysis in Switzerland and Europe with those of patients carrying cadaveric renal transplants in Europe & with suicides in the general population. Results indicate no significant differences in suicide rates between transplant & dialysis patients, while both groups were far in excess of the general population […]

In brief, the problems of transplants focus on who gets it, who gives it, and who decides. The preconception that impair decision-making and contribute to the ethical controversies will be described here. Because of the writer’s recent experience with renal disease and the longer history of kidney transplants, the content will be restricted to the […]

This review focuses on psychiatric implications of renal dialysis & transplantation. Some of the psychological factors associated with adjustment are reviewed & common problems are reviewed, including: depression, suicide, medical noncompliance, marital & sexual difficulties, vocational disturbance & psychosis as a result of toxic delerium. (KSD)

Using patients who require chronic hemodialysis as an example, this paper argues that the psychological mechanisms of denial & external orientation (helplessness) are natural. Physicians are encouraged not to totally strip away these defenses, but to work with mental health practitioners to allow patients to accept their medical condition & to be aware of the […]

Patients treated by maintenance hemodialysis are subjected to many stresses. As a result, many have psychological problems. Depression is the most common psychological complication seen in them, which is reflected in a high suicide rate. Other problems are anxiety, sexual dysfunctions, problems connected with difficulties in rehabilitation, the ‘uncooperative’ patients, & psychosis. Important methods of […]

Questionnaires involving 3,478 renal dialysis patients revealed a higher incidence of suicidal behavior than among the general population. The authors believe that the hemodialysis patient who kills himself does so because of multiple factors-at one time possibly correctable-that combine to form serious emotional conflicts. They urge further studies in this area & note that prolongation […]

Personality type greatly influences a patient’s reaction to illness or disability. This study of 136 renal dialysis patients was conducted to gather information on the influence of personality in adjustment to chronic dialysis. Pre-dialysis personality assessment was followed up at 6,12,24 & 36 month intervals. It was found that all major aspects of adjustment could […]

Long-term hemodialysis patients have an alarmingly high suicide rate. Deaths that result from the patient’s lack of adherence to the treatment regimen have in the past been viewed from a suicidal framework. The authors suggest that such behavior may be more fruitfully regared as an attempt by the patient to reduce the anxiety resulting from […]