The impact of CKD on mental health
In the UK, approximately 7.2 million people have CKD. These individuals must deal with the stress of managing their treatments, coping with their symptoms and facing uncertainty about the future. It can also affect people’s personal relationships, education, work, and sense of identity.
Together, these challenges can take a huge toll on mental health, and it is estimated that around one in three patients with CKD are also suffering from depression. However, it is especially difficult to identify and diagnose depression in people with CKD as there are many overlapping symptoms, such as tiredness, changes in appetite and difficulty concentrating, so it is likely that these numbers are higher. Additionally, there may be cultural or language barriers that prevent the identification of depression in some patients with CKD.
Research has shown that people with CKD who suffer from depression have poorer physical health and lower quality of life, so it is extremely important that it is properly diagnosed and managed.
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- Source: https://www.kidneyresearchuk.org/2024/03/12/survey-highlights-gaps-in-mental-health-care-for-uk-kidney-patients/