A reflection on anxiety and depression in patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment

Resumo

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and the appearance of anxious and depressive symptoms among patients. Thus, ESRD is understood as a set of changes in kidney structure and function due to various causes, thus requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT), with hemodialysis being the main one used. However, due to the significant changes caused by this illness, the patient must undergo a series of adaptations to their lifestyle and daily routine. This can be explained by the limitations on physical activity, absence from work, increased dependence on others and changes in daily habits. As a result of being a tedious process, hemodialysis treatment can generate signs of anxiety, anguish and fear about the future, promoting depressive symptoms as side effects of the worsening of their condition, such as intense sadness and suffering. The combination of all these negative factors can stimulate the development of mental disorders among patients, either by reducing their quality of life or by the clinical effects of the disease itself.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2023.007-071