Learning About Depression After an Organ Transplant

Depression is a mental health condition that causes you to feel sad, lose interest in activities that you used to enjoy, withdraw from others, and have little energy. It's different from normal feelings of sadness, grief, or low energy. Depression can also cause people to feel hopeless about the future and to even think about suicide.

It is not a character flaw. And it does not mean that you are a bad or weak person.

Depression is a common mood disorder. It affects people of all ages.

If you think you may be depressed, tell your doctor. Treatment can help you enjoy life again.

Depression is quite common after an organ transplant. It can be hard to wait for a transplant. After your surgery, you may have complex feelings about your health, your new organ, and the side effects of your medicine. And having a transplant brings life changes.

You'll also have a lot to manage. You need to take new medicines and go to follow-up visits.

Treating depression is very important. Among people who get a transplant, depression can lead to:

• Worse overall health.
• Problems with the new organ.
• Problems taking important medicines as directed.
• More need for medical care.
• Not having a job.
• Worse quality of life.
• Lower survival rates.

The symptoms of depression may be hard to notice at first. They vary among people. It can be easy to confuse them with just feeling "off." The most common symptoms are:

• Feeling sad or hopeless nearly every day for at least 2 weeks.
• Losing interest in or not getting pleasure from most activities that you used to enjoy. And you feel this way nearly every day for at least 2 weeks.

Other symptoms may appear. Almost every day, a person may:

• Eat or sleep more or less than usual.
• Feel tired.
• Feel unworthy or guilty.
• Find it hard to focus, remember things, or make decisions.

A serious symptom of depression is thinking about death or suicide. If you or someone you know talks about this or about feeling hopeless, get help right away.

Before your surgery, make sure you have a support system in place. This can help you cope with the stress and other feelings that may come with getting a transplant.

Support can come from loved ones, counselors, and others. Talk to your care team if you have questions or need help setting up support. To find support near you, call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline. It provides free, confidential information 24 hours a day for those who have mental health conditions or substance use disorders.

Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:

• Call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Go online to chat.988lifeline.org to start a chat.
• Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.

Consider saving these numbers or having this website in your phone.

Go to 988lifeline.org for more information.

Depression is very treatable with medicines and counseling. Talk to your doctor if you think you may be depressed.

Many people who get an organ transplant take antidepressants. Common antidepressants include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Your doctor will prescribe medicines that won’t interact with your other medicines.