| Theme |
Maintenance Dialysis Patients -- Their Fluctnating Minds with Special References to “Depression” |
| Title |
Psychotheraputic support for dialysis patients |
| Author |
Hiromitsu Kikuchi |
Clinical Psychotherapist, LSI Counseling Room |
| [ Summary ] |
Recognizing the severity and urgency of a patient's condition as well as determining whether the cause of depression is physically related or not is extremely important when providing psychotherapy to a patient with depressive tendencies. Listening empathetically to what the patient has to say, is one attitude by which therapists provide support for patients experiencing depression. A sense of security on the part of the patient is brought about by the psychotherapist carefully listening to the patients describe conditions they thought no one would understand. A second attitude of treatment is that of “accompanying patients the process of death and rebirth.” Many dialysis patients suffer with depression, due to fears that the continuance of their life or life style are being threatened. By accompanying them as they abandon their previous life style and discover a new way of living, the process of “death and rebirth” develops a sense of security leading to their personal growth. |