Before the sun rises
At the dialysis center, the machines greet me with their steady hum. They are both enemy and ally. I sit down in the chair, offer my arm, and feel the sharp pinch as the needles go in.
The Overlooked Trauma of Medical Illness — and Why Gender Matters
medical illness is not merely a biological event; it is also a potentially traumatic one. And in nephrology, where patients confront bodily invasion, loss of autonomy, and the erosion of long-term certainty, it often is.
Violence and Abuse in Dialysis Units: An Urgent but Overlooked Crisis
When we think about dialysis units, we often picture a place of healing — where patients with kidney failure receive life-sustaining treatment several times a week. But behind the scenes, these environments can sometimes be tense, emotionally charged, and even unsafe. Abuse and violence, whether directed at staff or patients, are serious and growing concerns [...]
The Hidden Link Between Stress and Chronic Kidney Disease—And How Mind-Body Practices Can Help
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects millions globally, but what often goes unnoticed is how deeply it’s intertwined with chronic stress.
Teletherapy 101: A Guide to Virtual Mental Health Support
This guide offers an overview of how teletherapy works, its benefits, challenges, and current evidence on its effectiveness.
How Transitional Units Support Kidney Patients During One of Life’s Biggest Changes
Starting dialysis is more than a medical event—it's a deeply emotional, psychological, and life-altering transition. For many patients coping with chronic kidney disease (CKD), beginning dialysis marks a new chapter filled with uncertainty, vulnerability, and fear.
Dialysis and me
Twelve years ago, my kidneys were so bad, I was told by a nephrologist that I should be on a transplant list. As it turned out, I had ten years to get ready.
The Role of Clinicians in an AI-Driven World
What was once a tool to assist clinicians has now become a partner—sometimes even a driver—in decision-making, diagnostics, and system-level management.
Dialysis milestones: celebration or reflection?
I had a discussion recently with a patient who was approaching their one-year mark of dialysis treatment. They shared with me that some people referred to it as their anniversary, which made them feel very uneasy. I explored this topic further with them
Two-way life: A caregiver’s story
I walked out of the doctor’s office, in a trance, almost forgetting that my fifteen year old, beside me, had walked through the very same door with me. The doctor had said, “Your son’s kidneys are failing!” During the fifteen-to-twenty minutes of intense conversation, the doctor had talked extensively about chronic kidney disease. Slowly he [...]
35+ Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Team
The sudden news of kidney disease can come as a shock for some, making it difficult to process the information. There may be instances when you want to know more but seem lost in the whole web of advice and multiple clinicians who are now involved. We wanted to provide you a checklist of questions [...]
Webinar: CKD and Mental Health
Diagnosis of any chronic illness like kidney disease can be a very turbulent time for any patient. The information and diagnosis may feel overwhelming and the patient might feel at a loss in connecting with his family, friends and even healthcare team. What is it like to live with a chronic kidney disease, how does [...]
In Conversation Series
Janet Wright with Dr. Gavril Hercz As a nephrologist and psychotherapist, I believe it is important to shed more light on the emotional impact of chronic illness, like polycystic kidney disease (PKD), on patients and families. Last year, during the “In Conversation Series”, we shared the 2018 Toronto PKD scientific conference video, in which Ms. [...]
Year 2019 in a nutshell
As we approach the year-end, Team Psychonephrology would like to thank you all for your continuous support and encouragement throughout our journey together. We would like to recap some of the topics that received the widest viewership. At the beginning of this year, we started a new blog series, “in conversation series”, where the patients [...]
Non-verbal messages : They are everywhere
Taking your cue from non-verbal communication Last week, during my visit to the dialysis unit, I came across a nurse who was displeased with a patient. On further conversation, she explained that she was disturbed by the manner expressed his dislike of her. This patient always wears T-shirts with strange quotes indirectly aimed at her. [...]