title: [Psychological aspects of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator: guidelines at the office].
abstract: Implantation of a defibrillator clearly extends life of heart patients. However, experience shows that this technique can also cause psychological difficulties, in some patients, making life sometimes unbearable. The risk of developing anxiety or depression is increased, causing a decrease in the quality of life. Feelings of helplessness, the unpredictability of the shock, are all factors that can cause psychological disturbances. An analysis of the risk factors is part of the evaluation of the clinician. We propose a practical guide, a series of simple questions to help discriminate patients to refer to a specialist.
authors.affiliation: Service des spécialites psychiatriques, Département de santé mentale et psychiatrie, HUG, 1211 Genève 14. julien.zimmermann@hcuge.ch
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors