Caring for the Mind While Caring for the Kidneys

Kidney disease affects more than the physical body.

A diagnosis may also affect:

Emotional health
Relationships
Independence
Employment
Finances
Sleep
Confidence
Family responsibilities
Plans for the future
A person’s sense of identity

Patients may experience fear, sadness, anger, frustration, anxiety, grief, loneliness, or uncertainty.

These emotions can occur after diagnosis, while kidney function is declining, during dialysis, while waiting for a transplant, after transplant surgery, during rejection treatment, or after a transplanted kidney fails.

Having difficult emotions does not mean that a person is weak, ungrateful, or failing.

Mental and emotional health are important parts of kidney care.

Emotional Reactions to a Kidney-Disease Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with kidney disease can be overwhelming.

A patient may wonder:

How serious is this?
Will my kidneys continue to decline?
Will I need dialysis?
Will I qualify for a transplant?
Can I continue working?
How will I support my family?
What will happen to my independence?
Will I be able to travel?
Will I be able to eat normally?
Will my relationships change?
Am I going to die?

Some people immediately begin researching and planning.

Others may feel numb, confused, angry, or unable to process the information.

There is no single correct emotional response.

People need time, clear information, and support.

The Difference Between Emotional Distress and Mental Illness

Feeling sad, worried, or frustrated after a major diagnosis does not automatically mean someone has a mental health disorder.

Temporary emotional distress may improve as the person:

Learn more about the condition
Adjusts to treatment
Receives support
Develops a routine
Gets answers to important questions
Begins feeling more in control

However, emotional symptoms may require professional attention when they:

Continue for several weeks
Become more intense
Interfere with daily life
Affect treatment attendance
Affect medication use
Damage relationships
Prevent sleep
Cause severe hopelessness
Include thoughts of death or self-harm

A healthcare or mental-health professional can help determine what type of support is needed.

Depression and Kidney Disease

Depression is more than having a difficult day or temporarily feeling sad.

Possible signs may include:

Persistent sadness
Loss of interest or pleasure
Hopelessness
Feelings of worthlessness
Excessive guilt
Irritability
Social withdrawal
Difficulty concentrating
Changes in sleep
Changes in appetite
Low motivation
Thoughts of death
Thoughts of self-harm

Depression is common among people living with chronic illness and can make it harder to manage kidney disease.

Depression is treatable.

Treatment may include:

Counseling
Psychotherapy
Medication
Support groups
Peer support
Lifestyle support
Treatment of contributing medical problems
A combination of approaches

Kidney Disease and Depression Can Share Symptoms

Kidney disease, dialysis, anemia, medication effects, poor sleep, and depression can cause some of the same symptoms.

Overlapping symptoms may include:

Fatigue
Weakness
Difficulty concentrating
Sleep problems
Poor appetite
Reduced interest in activities
Low energy
Changes in movement
Reduced sexual interest

Because these symptoms may have several causes, they should not automatically be blamed on depression or kidney disease.

The healthcare team may need to evaluate:

Anemia
Dialysis adequacy
Blood pressure
Medication side effects
Thyroid function
Sleep apnea
Infection
Electrolyte levels
Nutrition
Heart disease
Depression
Anxiety
Other medical conditions

Anxiety and Kidney Disease

Anxiety may involve persistent fear, worry, tension, or a sense that something bad is about to happen.

Possible signs may include:

Racing thoughts
Constant worry
Difficulty relaxing
Restlessness
Irritability
Trouble sleeping
Muscle tension
Rapid heartbeat
Sweating
Shaking
Shortness of breath
Stomach discomfort
Difficulty concentrating
Avoiding appointments or treatments

Patients may worry about:

Laboratory results
Declining kidney function
Dialysis access
Needles
Fluid overload
Hospitalization
Transplant eligibility
A transplant call
Rejection
Infection
Financial problems
Death

Anxiety should be discussed with the healthcare team, especially when it interferes with treatment or everyday life.

Panic Attacks

A panic attack is a sudden period of intense fear or discomfort.

Symptoms may include:

Racing heartbeat
Chest discomfort
Shortness of breath
Shaking
Sweating
Dizziness
Numbness or tingling
Feeling detached
Fear of losing control
Fear of dying

These symptoms may resemble serious medical problems.

People with kidney or heart disease should not assume that new chest pain, breathing difficulty, faintness, or an abnormal heartbeat is only anxiety.

Seek urgent medical evaluation when symptoms could represent a physical emergency.

Grief and Loss

Kidney disease may create many forms of loss.

A person may grieve the loss of:

Previous health
Physical strength
Energy
Employment
Financial stability
Favorite foods
Freedom with fluids
Spontaneous travel
Independence
Sexual confidence
Family roles
A dialysis access
A transplanted kidney
Plans for the future

Grief is not limited to the death of a loved one.

People can grieve major changes in health and identity.

Grief may come in waves and may include:

Sadness
Anger
Denial
Bargaining
Guilt
Fear
Relief
Acceptance
Renewed sadness

There is no fixed order or timetable.

Anger and Frustration

People living with kidney disease may feel angry about:

The diagnosis
Dialysis
Treatment schedules
Food and fluid restrictions
Medication side effects
Medical errors
Long waiting periods
Insurance problems
Loss of independence
Feeling misunderstood
Dependence on other people
A failed transplant
Repeated hospitalizations

Anger is an understandable emotion.

However, uncontrolled anger can damage relationships, interfere with care, and increase emotional distress.

Healthier ways to manage anger may include:

Naming the specific problem
Taking time before responding
Speaking with a counselor
Exercising when medically appropriate
Writing thoughts down
Asking for clearer information
Joining a support group
Using relaxation techniques
Requesting help with practical problems

Fear of Kidney Failure

A person with chronic kidney disease may live with uncertainty for months or years.

The person may worry about whether kidney function will:

Remain stable
Decline slowly
Decline suddenly
Require dialysis
Affect transplant eligibility
Lead to hospitalization

Accurate information can reduce some fear.

Patients may benefit from asking:

What stage of kidney disease do I have?
Is my kidney function stable?
How quickly has it changed?
What can I do to protect the remaining function?
Which symptoms should I report?
When would dialysis education begin?
When should transplant evaluation begin?
What choices may be available?

Planning does not mean giving up hope.

Planning can help restore a sense of control.

Emotional Challenges of Dialysis

Dialysis can preserve life, but treatment may also be physically and emotionally demanding.

Patients may struggle with:

Loss of time
Treatment fatigue
Needles
Access problems
Cramping
Low blood pressure
Weakness
Transportation
Food and fluid restrictions
Limited travel
Employment changes
Financial stress
Dependence on a machine
Fear of complications
Feeling different from other people

Patients may also feel pressured to appear grateful because treatment keeps them alive.

A person can appreciate dialysis and still dislike the burdens that come with it.

Both feelings can be true.

Dialysis Burnout

Dialysis burnout may develop when the demands of treatment feel unmanageable.

Possible signs may include:

Dreading every treatment
Frequently arriving late
Asking to end treatment early
Skipping treatments
Ignoring fluid or medication instructions
Feeling emotionally numb
Becoming increasingly angry
Saying treatment is no longer worth it
Withdrawing from staff or family
Losing hope

Burnout should be addressed directly and without shame.

The patient may need:

Medical evaluation
Better symptom control
Schedule adjustments
Transportation assistance
Social work support
Mental-health treatment
Peer support
A review of treatment options
Help with work or family responsibilities

Skipping or shortening dialysis can become medically dangerous. The patient should speak with the dialysis team before making treatment changes.

Needle Fear and Procedure Anxiety

Some patients experience severe fear before:

Dialysis needles
Blood draws
Biopsies
Catheter procedures
Surgery
Imaging tests
Hospital visits

This fear may cause:

Shaking
Sweating
Nausea
Crying
Panic
Avoidance
Missed treatments
Difficulty sleeping before appointments

Helpful strategies may include:

Telling the healthcare team
Requesting a clear step-by-step explanation
Using prescribed numbing medication
Practicing slow breathing
Looking away during the procedure
Listening to music
Using guided imagery
Working with a therapist
Developing a consistent routine
Asking whether a support person may attend

Procedure anxiety should be taken seriously.

Emotional Challenges While Waiting for a Transplant

Waiting for a kidney transplant can create a cycle of hope and disappointment.

Patients may experience:

Fear of missing the call
Anxiety whenever the phone rings
Worry about becoming too sick
Frustration about waiting time
Guilt about needing a donor
Concern about antibodies
Uncertainty about compatibility
Fear of surgery
Fear that the transplant will not work
Disappointment after a canceled transplant
Concern about finances and recovery

A patient may feel hopeful one day and discouraged the next.

This emotional movement is normal during a long and uncertain process.

When a Transplant Call Is Canceled

A transplant call may not result in surgery.

The kidney may be declining because:

The organ is not medically suitable
The crossmatch is unacceptable
The donor information changes
Another recipient has higher priority
The patient has an infection
A new medical concern is found
The surgical team determines that proceeding is unsafe

A canceled transplant may cause:

Shock
Sadness
Anger
Grief
Emotional exhaustion
Fear that another call will never come
Fear of becoming hopeful again

Patients should be allowed to grieve the lost opportunity even though the decision may have protected their safety.

Fear Before Transplant Surgery

People may experience fear even when they have waited years for a transplant.

They may worry about:

Dying during surgery
Pain
The kidney is not working
Delayed graft function
Rejection
Infection
Medication side effects
Losing the transplant
Returning to dialysis
Disappointing the donor
Not feeling as happy as expected

Fear does not mean the person does not want the transplant.

It means the person understands that transplantation carries both hope and risk.

Emotional Adjustment After Transplant

A successful transplant can bring relief and freedom, but emotional adjustment may take time.

Recipients may experience:

Happiness
Gratitude
Anxiety
Fear of rejection
Fear of infection
Medication stress
Sleep changes
Mood changes
Body-image concerns
Financial pressure
Difficulty returning to work
Guilt toward the donor
Fear of every laboratory result

Some recipients expect to feel completely happy after surgery and become confused when they also feel worried, sad, or emotionally exhausted.

These mixed emotions are not unusual.

Fear of Rejection

Some recipients become highly anxious about every symptom or laboratory result.

They may worry that:

A headache means rejection
Fatigue means the kidney is failing
A creatinine change means the transplant is lost
Missing one appointment will cause failure
Every infection will damage the kidney

Recipients should learn:

Which symptoms require a call
How laboratory trends are interpreted
How rejection is evaluated
What medication timing is critical
Who to contact after hours

Clear instructions can reduce uncertainty.

Survivor Guilt and Donor-Related Emotions

Transplant recipients may feel guilt because:

A deceased donor died
A living donor underwent surgery
Another patient is still waiting
The recipient’s recovery is difficult
The recipient does not feel as joyful as expected
The transplant develops complications

The recipient did not cause the donor’s death.

Accepting a donated organ does not require a person to feel happy every moment.

Recipients may honor the gift by:

Taking medications
Attending appointments
Protecting their health
Living according to their values
Expressing gratitude in a personally meaningful way

Counseling may help when guilt becomes overwhelming.

When a Transplant Fails

Transplant failure can create profound grief.

A person may feel that they have lost:

The transplanted kidney
Freedom from dialysis
Confidence in the future
Physical strength
Trust in the body
Hope for long-term stability

The person may also experience:

Anger
Shame
Fear
Depression
Anxiety
Guilt
Trauma
Fear of another transplant
Concern about antibodies
Exhaustion from returning to dialysis

Transplant failure is a medical outcome, not a moral failure.

Patients should not automatically be blamed for rejection or loss of the kidney.

Trauma Related to Medical Care

Some patients experience medical trauma after:

Intensive-care treatment
Emergency surgery
Severe bleeding
Repeated hospitalizations
Painful procedures
Difficult dialysis treatments
Transplant rejection
Serious infection
Near-death experiences
Feeling ignored or powerless
Unexpected complications

Possible trauma symptoms may include:

Nightmares
Flashbacks
Avoiding medical settings
Panic before appointments
Feeling constantly on guard
Emotional numbness
Difficulty trusting healthcare professionals
Strong reactions to sounds, smells, or equipment

A trauma-informed mental-health professional may help patients process these experiences.

Body Image and Self-Esteem

Kidney disease and treatment may change how a person feels about their body.

Concerns may involve:

Dialysis fistulas or grafts
Catheters
Surgical scars
Swelling
Weight changes
Hair changes
Skin changes
Medication effects
Loss of muscle
Amputation
Changes in sexual function
A transplant incision

These changes can affect confidence, clothing choices, relationships, and intimacy.

Patients deserve respectful support and accurate information about what can and cannot be treated.

Intimacy, Relationships, and Sexual Health

Kidney disease may affect:

Sexual desire
Energy
Hormones
Fertility
Erectile function
Vaginal comfort
Body image
Emotional closeness
Confidence

Medications, diabetes, blood-vessel disease, depression, fatigue, and relationship stress may also contribute.

Patients may feel embarrassed to discuss sexual health, but it is part of overall well-being.

A healthcare professional may evaluate medical causes and discuss safe treatment options.

Family and Relationship Stress

Kidney disease can change family roles.

A spouse may become a caregiver.

An adult child may begin managing appointments.

The patient may no longer be able to work or perform familiar responsibilities.

Conflict may develop around:

Food
Fluid
Medications
Dialysis attendance
Transportation
Money
Household work
Transplant decisions
Independence
Caregiver fatigue

Helpful communication includes:

Speaking without blame
Asking what support is wanted
Setting boundaries
Dividing responsibilities
Attending counseling
Allowing the patient to retain independence
Recognizing caregiver stress

Loneliness and Social Isolation

People with kidney disease may become isolated because of:

Treatment schedules
Fatigue
Physical limitations
Transportation problems
Fear of infection
Food and fluid restrictions
Loss of employment
Friends not understanding
Embarrassment about treatment
Depression
Anxiety

Isolation may worsen emotional distress.

Connection may come through:

Family
Friends
Faith communities
Patient-support groups
Dialysis peers
Transplant groups
Community programs
Online communities
Volunteer activities
Counseling

Support from people who understand kidney disease can help someone feel less alone.

Employment, Financial Stress, and Identity

Work provides more than income.

It may also provide:

Identity
Routine
Social connection
Confidence
Purpose
Independence

Kidney disease may force a person to:

Reduce hours
Change jobs
Take medical leave
Apply for disability benefits
Stop working
Retire earlier than expected

This can create grief, fear, shame, or loss of purpose.

A social worker, vocational counselor, benefits specialist, or legal aid organization may help the patient understand the available options.

Financial Anxiety

Patients may worry about:

Insurance premiums
Medication costs
Dialysis transportation
Hospital bills
Transplant expenses
Time away from work
Housing
Food
Utilities
Caregiver income loss

Financial problems can intensify depression and anxiety.

Patients should ask for help early from:

Dialysis social workers
Transplant financial coordinators
Hospital social workers
Insurance case managers
Medication-assistance programs
Transportation programs
Community organizations
Qualified benefits counselors

Loss of Independence

Needing help can be emotionally difficult.

A patient may need assistance with:

Transportation
Walking
Bathing
Meals
Medications
Appointments
Finances
Household tasks

Support should preserve as much independence as safely possible.

Family members and caregivers should ask:

What can the patient still do?
Which tasks require help?
What equipment might increase independence?
Would physical or occupational therapy help?
Is the patient being included in decisions?

Sleep and Emotional Health

Poor sleep may worsen:

Irritability
Depression
Anxiety
Memory
Concentration
Blood pressure
Blood glucose
Fatigue
Pain tolerance

Sleep problems may be related to:

Stress
Restless legs
Itching
Sleep apnea
Fluid overload
Pain
Medications
Dialysis schedules
Depression
Anxiety

Report persistent sleep problems to the healthcare team.

Do not assume that every sleep problem is purely emotional.

Healthy Coping Strategies

Healthy coping does not remove every problem.

It can help a person manage difficult emotions and maintain a sense of control.

Helpful strategies may include:

Speaking with someone trustworthy
Counseling
Support groups
Prayer or spiritual care
Journaling
Music
Art
Reading
Gentle exercise
Time outdoors
Meditation
Slow breathing
Maintaining routines
Spending time with loved ones
Setting small goals
Resting without guilt
Participating in meaningful activities

The best coping strategy is one that is safe, realistic, and personally meaningful.

Grounding During Anxiety

Grounding techniques may help a person reconnect with the present moment.

One method is to identify:

Five things you can see
Four things you can feel
Three things you can hear
Two things you can smell
One thing you can taste

Another method is slow breathing:

Breathe in gently.
Pause briefly.
Breathe out slowly.
Relax the shoulders.
Repeat without forcing the breath.

These techniques may help with emotional distress, but they do not replace emergency medical care for chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, fainting, or any other possible medical emergency.

Journaling and Symptom Tracking

Writing may help a person organize thoughts and identify patterns.

A journal may include:

Emotions
Symptoms
Questions
Laboratory concerns
Medication effects
Sleep
Treatment experiences
Accomplishments
Sources of gratitude
Topics for counseling

Tracking should provide clarity, not increase anxiety.

A person who becomes obsessed with repeatedly checking symptoms or results may need support managing health-related anxiety.

Peer Support

Peer support allows patients to speak with people who have lived through similar experiences.

Peer support may help with:

Feeling understood
Preparing for dialysis
Adjusting to a transplant
Coping with rejection
Returning to dialysis
Understanding practical challenges
Reducing isolation
Developing hope

Peer support should complement—not replace—professional medical and mental-health care.

Another patient’s experience may be meaningful, but it may not predict what will happen to someone else.

Support Groups

Support groups may be:

In person
Online
Led by a professional
Led by trained peers
Focused on dialysis
Focused on transplant
Focused on caregivers
Focused on grief
Focused on chronic illness

A healthy support group should encourage:

Respect
Privacy
Accurate information
Personal choice
Professional care when needed

Be cautious of groups that encourage patients to stop treatment, reject medical advice, purchase unproven products, or distrust every healthcare professional.

Spiritual and Faith-Based Support

Faith and spirituality may provide:

Hope
Meaning
Community
Comfort
A way to process grief
Support during uncertainty

Some people may also experience spiritual distress and ask:

Why is this happening?
Am I being punished?
Why has healing not occurred?
What does my life mean now?

A trusted spiritual leader, chaplain, counselor, or faith community may help.

Spiritual support should respect the patient’s beliefs and should not pressure the patient to reject necessary medical or mental-health treatment.

When Professional Counseling May Help

Consider professional support when a person experiences:

Persistent sadness
Severe anxiety
Panic attacks
Difficulty coping with dialysis
Fear of procedures
Medical trauma
Relationship conflict
Grief after transplant failure
Caregiver burnout
Social isolation
Sleep problems related to distress
Loss of interest
Difficulty following treatment
Thoughts about death
Thoughts of self-harm

Types of professionals may include:

Psychologists
Licensed mental-health counselors
Clinical social workers
Psychiatrists
Marriage and family therapists
Trauma specialists
Addiction professionals
Grief counselors

Mental-Health Medication and Kidney Disease

Some people benefit from medication for depression, anxiety, sleep, or another mental health condition.

Kidney disease may affect how certain medications are:

Absorbed
Processed
Removed from the body
Dosed
Combined with other medicines

The prescriber should know about:

Kidney function
Dialysis
Transplant status
Other medications
Heart-rhythm problems
Blood pressure
Falls
Previous side effects

Do not begin, stop, or change a mental-health medication without guidance.

Stopping some medications suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms or worsening mental health symptoms.

Substance Use and Unhealthy Coping

Some people attempt to manage pain, stress, anxiety, or depression through:

Alcohol
Misused prescription medication
Illegal drugs
Cannabis products
Excessive sleeping pills
Gambling
Compulsive shopping
Overeating
Isolation

These coping methods may worsen:

Kidney health
Heart health
Medication safety
Treatment attendance
Financial problems
Relationships
Transplant eligibility
Emotional health

People deserve confidential, nonjudgmental support for substance-use concerns.

Treatment Fatigue Is Not the Same as Giving Up

A person may say:

“I’m tired of dialysis.”
“I can’t keep doing this.”
“I hate taking all these medications.”
“I’m tired of being sick.”
“I don’t want another appointment.”

These statements should be taken seriously, but they do not always mean the person wants to die.

They may mean the person needs:

Better symptom management
Rest
Emotional support
Treatment education
Schedule changes
Transportation help
Pain treatment
Social work assistance
A mental-health evaluation
A discussion about personal goals

Ask calm, direct questions rather than ignoring the statement.

Recognizing a Mental-Health Crisis

A mental-health crisis may involve:

Thoughts of suicide
A suicide plan
Self-harm
Severe hopelessness
Extreme agitation
Hallucinations
Severe confusion
Violent behavior
Inability to care for basic needs
Dangerous substance use
Refusal of essential treatment because of an immediate desire to die

Warning signs may include:

Talking about wanting to die
Saying others would be better off without them
Giving away possessions
Saying goodbye unexpectedly
Searching for ways to cause self-harm
Gathering medications or weapons
Sudden withdrawal
Reckless behavior
A sudden unexplained calm after severe distress

Take these signs seriously.

Ask Directly About Suicide

Asking someone whether they are thinking about suicide does not place the idea in their mind.

A calm question may be:

“Are you thinking about hurting yourself or ending your life?”

When the answer is yes:

Stay with the person.
Listen without judgment.
Do not promise secrecy.
Remove access to immediate dangers when it is safe to do so.
Contact emergency or crisis support.
Follow instructions from trained professionals.

Do not leave a person alone during an immediate crisis.

Immediate Crisis Support

In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department when:

There is immediate danger
A suicide attempt has occurred
The person has a weapon or other lethal means
The person cannot remain safe
There is severe confusion or violent behavior
A life-threatening medical emergency may also be occurring

Patients outside the United States should use the emergency or crisis services available in their location.

Supporting Someone in Emotional Distress

Helpful responses may include:

“I’m glad you told me.”
“You do not have to face this alone.”
“I’m listening.”
“Let’s contact someone who can help.”
“Your feelings matter.”
“We can take this one step at a time.”

Avoid saying:

“Just be positive.”
“You have nothing to be depressed about.”
“Other people have it worse.”
“You should be grateful to be alive.”
“You are being selfish.”
“You just need more faith.”
“Stop thinking that way.”

Listening and connecting the person with help are more useful than arguing with their feelings.

Supporting Children and Teenagers

Children and teenagers with kidney disease may struggle with:

Feeling different
Missing school
Body-image concerns
Treatment fatigue
Fear of needles
Bullying
Isolation
Worry about the future
Dependence on parents
Difficulty transitioning to adult care

Parents and caregivers should watch for:

Withdrawal
Falling grades
Sleep changes
Anger
Loss of interest
Severe anxiety
Refusal of treatment
Self-harm
Statements about death

Children and teenagers should receive developmentally appropriate mental health care.

Caregiver Emotional Wellness

Caregivers may experience:

Exhaustion
Anxiety
Depression
Anger
Guilt
Resentment
Financial stress
Sleep problems
Social isolation
Fear of the patient dying
Fear of making a mistake

Caregivers need support too.

Helpful resources may include:

Respite care
Counseling
Support groups
Family assistance
Social work services
Faith communities
Shared caregiving schedules
Time for medical appointments
Emergency backup plans

Supporting the caregiver also supports the patient.

Creating an Emotional-Wellness Plan

An emotional-wellness plan may include:

People to contact
The healthcare team’s phone number
A counselor or therapist
A support group
Crisis numbers
Relaxation strategies
Meaningful activities
Sleep routines
Safe exercise
Spiritual support
Transportation resources
A plan for difficult treatment days
A plan for transplant-related stress
A list of warning signs

Keep the plan somewhere accessible.

Review it when circumstances change.

Questions to Ask the Healthcare Team

Consider asking:

Could my symptoms be caused by depression, kidney disease, or both?
Could my medications affect my mood or sleep?
Can you refer me to a mental-health professional?
Is counseling available through the dialysis or transplant center?
Are there kidney-disease support groups?
Are there peer mentors?
Which mental-health medications are safest with my kidney function?
Does dialysis affect medication timing?
What should I do during a mental-health crisis?
Who can help with financial or transportation stress?
How can my family support me without taking away my independence?
Are there resources for my caregiver?
Could sleep apnea, anemia, pain, or another medical problem be affecting my mood?

Explore Mental Health and Emotional Wellness Resources

The pages assigned underneath this category may include:

Understanding Depression and Kidney Disease
Understanding Anxiety and Kidney Disease
Coping With a New Kidney-Disease Diagnosis
Emotional Wellness During Dialysis
Recognizing Dialysis Burnout
Managing Needle Fear and Procedure Anxiety
Emotional Wellness While Waiting for a Transplant
Coping With a Canceled Transplant Call
Emotional Adjustment After Kidney Transplant
Fear of Kidney Rejection
Coping With Transplant Failure
Grief, Loss, and Kidney Disease
Medical Trauma and Kidney Care
Body Image, Intimacy, and Kidney Disease
Supporting Children and Teenagers With Kidney Disease
Caregiver Stress and Emotional Wellness
Finding Peer Support and Support Groups
Creating a Mental-Health Crisis Plan

Place the automatic Page List block directly underneath this section so WordPress can display the published mental-health and emotional-wellness pages assigned to this parent category.

Emotional Wellness Does Not Mean Being Positive All the Time

Emotional wellness does not require pretending that kidney disease is easy.

It means having permission to:

Tell the truth about the difficult days
Ask for help
Feel grief
Experience hope
Set boundaries
Rest
Receive treatment
Maintain relationships
Find meaning
Continue living beyond the diagnosis

Hope and hardship can coexist.

A person can be grateful for treatment and still feel exhausted.

A person can want a transplant and still fear surgery.

A person can love family members and still feel frustrated.

A person can have strong faith and still need professional mental health care.

You Are More Than Kidney Disease

Kidney disease may affect many parts of life, but it does not define the entire person.

Patients remain:

Parents
Partners
Friends
Professionals
Students
Artists
Leaders
Volunteers
Neighbors
People with goals, talents, and stories

Treatment is part of life, but life should not be reduced only to treatments, laboratory results, medications, and appointments.

Marshall Kidney Foundation encourages patients, families, caregivers, dialysis patients, transplant candidates, and transplant recipients to care for their emotional health with the same seriousness they give to physical health.

No one should have to suffer in silence.

Medical and Mental-Health Disclaimer

This information is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, psychiatric advice, psychological treatment, counseling, diagnosis, crisis intervention, or emergency care.

Emotional symptoms may be caused or worsened by kidney disease, anemia, dialysis, medication effects, infection, sleep disorders, heart disease, electrolyte abnormalities, substance use, depression, anxiety, trauma, or other medical and mental-health conditions.

Only qualified healthcare and mental health professionals can evaluate individual symptoms, make a diagnosis, and recommend treatment.

Do not begin, stop, reduce, increase, or change prescription medications, mental-health medications, sleep medications, dialysis treatments, transplant medications, or other care without instructions from the responsible healthcare professional.

New chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, fainting, severe confusion, weakness, or an abnormal heartbeat should not automatically be blamed on anxiety. Seek urgent medical evaluation when symptoms could represent a physical emergency.

In the United States, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline when someone needs immediate emotional or suicide-crisis support.

Call 911 or seek emergency medical care when there is immediate danger, a suicide attempt, severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, severe confusion, uncontrolled bleeding, blue or gray lips, violent behavior, or any rapidly worsening or life-threatening condition.

Do not leave someone alone when there is an immediate risk of self-harm or suicide.

Marshall Kidney Foundation does not provide mental health diagnoses, psychotherapy, psychiatric medication management, suicide assessments, crisis intervention, medical treatment, or emergency services.

Learn more from a trusted medical source: National Kidney Foundation – Mental Health and Kidney Disease

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