| Theme | Initiation, Maintenance and Discontinuation of Dialysis Therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | IPatient's mental condition during the period of dialytic introduction | |
| Publish Date | 1998/07 | |
| Author | Makoto Hashimoto | Department of Psychiatry, Akita Red Cross Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | The period of dialytic introduction has been determined to be twelve months from the initiation of treatment. We describe minor disturbances of consciousness and transient syndromes in relationship to organic brain syndromes, and the resultant need to monitor the patients' psychological condition. We reported on patients' mental conditions, characterized by object loss or grief work of dialysis. The patients were forced to deal with sudden life-style changes, with the knowledge of their possible impending death. To better understand how to help them cope, we used two types of psychological assessments, the STAI and the PIL. Using these assessments we separated patients into two groups. One group displayed high levels of trait anxiety, while the other did not. We then explained how patients' anxiety was expressed and described methods to assist them. |
|