Friday, May 22, 2015

Your Emotions and Chronic Kidney Disease

CKD can overwhelm a patient. There is new information to become aware of, a new treatment plan to begin. Your energy will be directed to your treatment and physical well-being. This can be exhausting. But you must also take control of your mental state.

You cannot allow feelings like fear or anxiety to bulldoze your mental landscape. Knowledge about chronic kidney disease and dialysis can help you become familiar with your illness and its treatment. You won’t feel as fearful or anxious if you know what to expect. Feeling calm can help you sort out things and you’ll be able to deal with your disease more effectively.

Feelings of denial are a severe problem in the long-term prognosis for your health. Denial leads to what is called “non-compliance”—that is, disregard for your healthcare team’s instructions regarding dialysis treatment, diet and fluid intake. Healthcare workers often see patients who come to dialysis in distress. They have missed several dialysis treatments or have not been following their fluid requirements. They often rely on dialysis to make them feel better. But sometimes dialysis cannot reverse the effects of non-compliance. Hospitalization may be required. Do not let this be you. CKD is a serious illness. Listen carefully to your healthcare team and follow their recommendations. If you do not understand something, ask questions.

Anger can isolate and prevent you from seeking help or solace from people who care about your health. Although expressing your anger can help it diminish, it may lead to more frustration because you do not understand the root of it. You may be lashing out at people who are not the cause of your anger. This can strain relations with those around you. Talking about why you are angry can help you determine its cause.  

Depression can affect how you make decisions regarding your treatment. Since a patient on dialysis must be actively involved in their day-to-day treatment regarding fluid intake and diet, you must have a clear mind in order to make the best decisions. Depression can make you put off decisions, or even purposely make unwise ones. If your doctor diagnoses you with major depression, he may prescribe some anti-depressants. But first, he must know what you are feeling. He cannot know unless you tell him.

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