What Psychiatric Disorders Are Usually Contraindications for Living Organ Donation?

In living organ donation, a healthy person voluntarily donates an organ or part of an organ to a recipient. According to OrganDonor.gov, the most common living organ donation is kidney donation since it's possible to lead a full and healthy life with only one kidney. Parts of a liver can be donated as the liver will regenerate. Part of the pancreas, intestine and lung can also be donated. Living donors are screened extensively for both medical and psychological conditions that could exclude them from donating.

Eligibility

• There are strict rules in place governing who can be a living donor and under what circumstances organs may be donated. These rules are necessary to avoid abuse; they make sure there is no ulterior motive for the donation and to make sure that the donor is not being coerced in any way. It is against the law to sell an organ in the United States, and a donor may not receive monetary or other rewards in exchange for his or her organ.

Screening

• Donating an organ is not a decision that is made lightly. Besides medical tests to evaluate compatibility and physical health, a person who wants to donate an organ undergoes rigorous psychological testing to make sure that he is fully aware of the risks of organ donation. A psychosocial evaluation is conducted to make sure that the potential donor can cope with the consequences of donating. Anyone whose physical or mental health might be compromised by donating will not be allowed to donate an organ.

Psychosocial Evaluation

• It is up to the psychiatrist or psychologist assigned to each individual case to decide whether a potential donor is a suitable candidate. The potential donor must have the mental capacity to give informed consent and the ability to understand the implications and consequences of donating. A psychiatrist will look at the donor's history of mental illness and his past coping strategies when under stress. Chronic substance abuse is a likely contraindication for living donation as it impacts on the potential donor's current and future health. According to the National Register of Health Service Providers, psychiatric disorders that are absolute contraindications include dementia and active schizophrenia. Potential donors who are suffering from major psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder or suicidal tendencies that are not under control are unlikely to pass the psychological evaluation. Potential donors who suffer from delusions or hallucinations would have to be evaluated to see whether these are influencing their decision to donate.