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

Received October 23, 2007; revised February 29, 2008; accepted March 3, 2008. From the VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston University School of Medicine; Hines VA Hospital; and Boston University School of Medicine. Send correspondence and reprint requests to Amy K. Silberbogen, Ph.D., VA Boston Healthcare System, Psychology Service (116B), 150 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130. e-mail: amy.silberbogen{at}va.gov
© 2009 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine

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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