Have you struggled with depression and/or anxiety since starting dialysis? Fatigue, inadequate sleep, poor appetite, headache, and lack of focus are side-effects of depression that many dialysis patients experience. Fortunately, treatment can help improve at least some of these symptoms. Learn more about what one research study found regarding effective depression treatments in dialysis.* 

What is the cause? 

Adjusting to a dialysis lifestyle can be incredibly challenging. Your time on dialysis, the many medications you may take, your dietary restrictions, and how you feel during and after dialysis sessions can take a toll on your physical and mental health. 

“At first, I was unsure of what was causing my anxiety,” shared one participant of the ASCEND study. “I was constantly worrying about my health and the future of my condition. I was scared of the unknown and felt overwhelmed by the thought of having to manage a chronic illness. I found myself worrying about the future and how I would handle the physical and emotional changes that would come with the progression of my kidney disease.”

The physical and emotional stressors of dialysis can eventually roll over into your relationships with your spouse, family, and friends. Therefore, it is no surprise that dialysis patients have a high chance of experiencing depression. 

What are effective ways of treating depression for dialysis patients?

While there are many ways to treat depression, not all ways will work for all dialysis patients. One study funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) looked at two treatments to manage depression for dialysis patients: 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy in which patients work with a therapist to change patterns in their thinking, to improve their emotions and how they feel overall. 
• Sertraline, a drug sold under the brand name Zoloft®, is an oral antidepressent that is usually prescribed for daily use. 

With both treatments, researchers found improvements among all patients regarding:

• Sleep,
• Appetite,  
• Mood,
• Energy level, and 
• Ability to focus. 

Patients taking sertraline had slightly better results in depression symptoms but also had a higher risk of side effects from taking the medication. 

If you think you are experiencing depression, speak with your social worker, doctor, or another dialysis care team member to determine what might work best for you. You are not alone, and depression symptoms can be relieved with proper treatment. 

*Forfang, D. L., Crabtree, B., Gee, P., Solomon, J., Bologna, P., Nelson, T., Peeler, T., & McCowan, P. (2023). How Do the ASCEND Study Findings Help Us as Dialysis Patients? Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, Publish Ahead of Print. https://doi.org/10.2215/cjn.0000000000000158

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