Abstract
HIV as a chronic illness is manageable but not curable. Psychiatric disorders not only act as risk factors for HIV infection but also result from the diagnosis of HIV infection. The psychiatric disorders range from anxiety, depression to neurocognitive disorders. The diagnosis also means psychological and emotional effects on the patients and the caregivers. This requires that biopsychosocial perspective be employed in managing such patients for better treatment adherence and increased quality of life. There are various psychological interventions available like cognitive behavior therapy, group therapy, mindfulness based therapy etc. Despite wide prevalence of such problems present in India, very few clinicians are aware of these psychological interventions and make them available to the patients.
Highlights
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as a chronic illness is manageable but not curable
The adult HIV prevalence in India has increased to 0.27 percent, as of 2011 (NACO, 2013) and it was estimated that 2.4 million people were living with HIV in India (UNAIDS, 2010)
HIV/ AIDS AND PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS 30-60% lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders has been reported in HIV patients (Atkinson et al.,1988; Morrison et al 2002)
Summary
HIV/AIDS patients who tend toward instability and extroversion exhibit a higher level of risky behavior (Treisman, 2001). People with antisocial personality are at increased risk of exposure to HIV, especially in the context of drug-taking (Compton et al 1995) as they are: more prone to. Share needle, more likely to have higher number of lifetime sexual problems, more likely to engage in unprotected anal sex. HIV/ AIDS AND PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS 30-60% lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders has been reported in HIV patients (Atkinson et al.,1988; Morrison et al 2002). Higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders was found in patients with HIV as compared to the general population (Ahuja et al, 1998)
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