The health care team also includes a Psychiatrist. A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in difficulties with mood, thinking, and coping. Such difficulties can be due to physical factors, psychological factors, spiritual factors, or a combination of these.
Bone marrow transplant patients can experience emotional ups and downs due to the illness itself, medication side effects, and a range of psychological or spiritual issues related to being sick and in hospital for prolonged periods with a life-threatening illness. Upon request, the Psychiatrist will see patients to help identify causes of emotional difficulties and to assist in treatment.