Psychotherapy with Patients Receiving Kidney Transplant
JOHN P. KEMPH M.D.1
1 Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, and Clinical Director, Childrens Psychiatric Hospital, the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48104
The development of depression in patients involved in renal transplantation at the University of Michigan Medical Center demonstrated the need for presurgical and postsurgical psychotherapy. It was found that, among recipients, depression precipitated by the fear of impending death usually occurred prior to surgery, and that this was generally alleviated by a realistic appraisal of the ramifications of the transplantation. Among donors, depressive reactions usually occurred following surgery, precipitated by the feeling of having gotten little reward for maximal sacrifice; this was generally alleviated by encouraging the patient to openly express the hostility hitherto suppressed.
