Renal Psychology

Living with renal disease can be challenging; and people sometimes need a little extra support to help them cope with their renal issues.  The renal psychology service helps people who are experiencing psychological distress due to living with renal disease and where this distress makes it difficult for people to manage their renal treatment.  

Renal psychologists aim to explore what causes people’s distress, what keeps it going, and what changes might be helpful to try to improve how they feel.  We do this through talking, listening, thinking, and planning together with you and, if appropriate, with your renal team.   

Here are some examples of psychological distress which people might wish to speak to a psychologist about:

•    Difficulties sleeping due to anxiety / nightmares
•    Feeling overwhelmed
•    Needle / blood / medical phobia
•    Persistent anxiety – not being able to stop or control worrying
•    Persistent low mood – feeling down, depressed or hopeless
•    Post traumatic stress.

If you think you might benefit from support from the renal psychology service, please speak with a member of your renal team.