patient stories
Jeremy
Peritoneal dialysis at
home using Amia
see his story

Dale
A Canada-wide cycling
trip with dialysis
see his story

Jaya
Coping with CKD
thanks to home dialysis
see her story

What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?Emotional impact of chronic kidney disease
Staying in touch with your feelings

When learning about a new health problem from your doctor, it is common to experience many feelings, especially if you generally feel well and the news comes as a surprise.

How you cope emotionally and psychologically has a major impact on all aspects of your life, not just your physical condition.

Feelings that are common and normal for someone with a chronic health problem, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), include:

Shock
Grief
Denial
Anger
Depression
Fear
Guilt
Acceptance
Sadness

It is very common to experience these kinds of emotions, and you should speak with your nurse and doctor if you do. They can connect you with other members of the healthcare team who can help you work through these feelings. Also, your healthcare team can connect you with other resources so that you can make the decisions that are best for you. Ask friends, family, and other patients for help to accept and adjust to life with failing kidneys.

Staying positive
Goal setting

Set realistic goals, e.g. doing regular exercise or going out. This reinforces the feeling that you are in control of the disease.

Sense of humour

Laughter is often the best medicine. It makes a big difference in the way you feel.

Faith

Some find their faith gives them particular strength, while others struggle to reconcile their faith with their diagnosis. Talk to someone about how you feel.