STRESS AND MENTAL DISORDERS IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction. Chronic renal failure and dialysis are complicated situations that affect on somatic and mental status of patients. In this study, relation between stress, renal diseas, dialysis and mental disorders was determined.
Methods. In a case control study in Noor hospital"s dialysis ward (affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services) the mental status of 30 end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients were compaired with well matched control group by MMPI.
Results. Hypochondriasis (Hs), depression (D), hysteria (Hy) psychastenia (Pt) and schizophrenia (Sc) were observed in ESRD patients more than controls (P < 0.05). Means of sociopathy (Pd), paranoia (Pa) and hypomania (Ma) had no difference between groups (P > 0.05). Realy sadness and dysphoria, rumintion with illness, obsession, anxiety, compulsion, impaired process of thinking, isolation tendency and odd sensation in patients were more than control group (P < 0.05).
Discussion. Chronic diseases have psychological complication and as a stress must cope and adjust with it. So, these patients and their families must be educated about coping mechanism. When the patients and their families have good coping mechanism, they would be able tolerate these streses.