Depression and anxiety are experienced by the overwhelming majority of people living with HIV, according to research conducted by the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care.
The investigation, presented to the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America on 25 October involved 130 doctors involved in providing HIV treatment and 235 people living with HIV. More than 84% of doctors polled said that their HIV-positive patients "frequently or very frequently" had symptoms of depression, and 81% of doctors said their patients exhibited symptoms of anxiety. According to physicians, more than 71% of their patients experience headaches, lethargy and/or insomnia.
Depression, anxiety and problems sleeping were frequently reported by people with HIV. 72% said they experienced depression, 65% experienced anxiety, 48% had insomnia. In addition, 43% had symptoms of lethargy and 40% reported impaired concentration and mood swings.
Doctors overwhelming attributed their patients’ psychiatric problems to the effects of their treatment, with 84% saying they believed HAART had a role in depression, anxiety or other mental health problems. Antidepressants were prescribed by 80% of doctors and 56% said they were willing to change their patients’ treatments if they were known to cause psychiatric disturbances. Doctors attending the conference are being urged to integrate mental health monitoring and treatment into their routine care or people with HIV.
Depression and HIV was the subject of a special issue of AIDS Treatment Update in July 2002, which can be viewed by clicking here.