Feeling worthless or guilty. Diminished concentration or indecisiveness. Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. Related signs can include unexplained aches and pains, digestive problems, sexual difficulties, anxiety and worry, or social withdrawal. Therefore, keeping the transplant team informed of such changes is important both in terms of physical and mental health.
Depression can aggravate some effects of transplant, including pain and fatigue.
It can disrupt one s social life, and undermine how well someone follows their post transplant regimen. Depression may intensify health risks, decrease immune system functioning, and possibly decrease survival. Depression may affect dosing requirements for certain medications. Fortunately, living with a transplant does not mean having to live with depression. With appropriate treatment, people generally emerge from depression experiencing a brightened mood and greater enjoyment of life.