Technical, biochemical, and ethical problems related to a chronic hemodialysis program have been reviewed in three publications from this institution (1-3). A review of experience would be incomplete, however, without some reference to the psychiatric status of the patients on the program. From a subjective point of view of the patient, the emotional reaction to the need for chronic dialysis may represent the greatest obstacle to successful rehabilitation. Brief reference to this subject has been made in previous reports from this (4-5) and other centers (6-8), but there has been no general review of the subject. This report summarizes our