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Summary

  • Emotional and mental health are important issues for people with HIV.
  • People with HIV seem to be more likely to experience a range of emotional and mental health problems, including distress, unhappiness, anxiety and depression.
  • There are things you can do to look after your emotional and mental health.
  • Help is available if you are having emotional or mental health problems.
  • Treatment and support services are available if you suffer from mental health problems.
  • Some anti-HIV drugs can have side-effects which include mental health problems. These may be temporary and can be dealt with.
  • HIV infection can cause dementia and other conditions, but these problems are now very rare thanks to HIV therapy.

HIV, mental health and emotional wellbeing

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.