Year: 1971 Source: American Journal of Psychiatry, v.127, no.9, (1971), p.124-127 SIEC No: 19830537

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 the recognition of his tremendous responsibility in the treatment program.