Psychological aspects of transplantation and organ donation as a problem of clinical psychology

The main psychological problems that arise in a situation of organ transplantation from living and deceased donors are considered. Primary variants of possible relations and interactions between a donor and an organ recipient are described. Also relations in families of donors are examined. Special emphasis is placed to studying and describing of organ donation motivation. Phenomenons of organ donation are describing as an “act of organ giving”. Psychodynamic, emotional, motivational and behavioral aspects of dyadic relations “donor-recipient” are described by examining issues of kidney transplantation including organ donation among relatives and parents of sick children, the difference between the sexes donor and recipient. Features of somatic, psychopathological and psychological changes after the successful and unsuccessful kidney transplants are examined. Special attention is paid to disorders of sexual partner and functioning of patients with transplanted kidney. Some of the goals and objectives of the clinical psychologist in the transplantation clinic are considered.