Psychiatric and psychological problems in living donors after organ transplantation

Abstract

Living donors of organ transplantation have been reported to experience various psychiatric and psychological problems. A regressive symbiotic relationship between donors and recipients leads to introjection and obtrusion in donors, rebirth fantasy, and rebound neglect. Ambivalent feelings about donor selection lead to feelings of persecution and isolation from family. In addition, donors sometimes exhibit physical, economic and social anxiety, and a depressive state from feelings of guilt toward the recipient. Further, it is necessary to somatic symptoms consider also be a hypochondriac complaints due to mental and psychological problems. These problems can be traced to problems that occur before donation; disclosing all feelings before donation helps prevent psychological problems that occur after donation. In order to cope with these problems, the perspective of surgeons who care for donors continuously before and after donation is very helpful.