Elsevier

Psychosomatics

Volume 50, Issue 2, March–April 2009, Pages 114-122
Psychosomatics

Psychosocial Issues and Mental Health Treatment Recommendations for Patients With Hepatitis C

https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psy.50.2.114Get rights and content

Background

Mental health needs of patients with HCV are increasingly being addressed in medical contexts.

Objective

The authors review the psychosocial issues relevant to patients with hepatitis C and provide mental health treatment recommendations.

Findings

Patients with HCV are faced with a number of challenges, including adjustment to a chronic medical illness, management of symptoms and treatment side effects, and making and maintaining lifestyle changes. Given these issues, mental health clinicians have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to patient care.

Conclusion

After reviewing the relevant research on these psychosocial issues, the authors have identified areas in which clinicians can intervene; these include adjustment to having a chronic medical illness, coping with stigma and relationship changes, management of side effects, and implementing healthy lifestyle changes.

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