Psychiatric Aspects of HIV Spectrum Disease

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is not considered “under control” in the United States. An unacceptably high incident case rate has been sustained over the past decade. CDC now advocates for routine HIV antibody testing to be offered in all health care settings. The psychiatrist can play an important role in identifying HIV high risk behaviors, in presenting the option for HIV antibody testing, and in providing follow-up with counseling. The high risk for HIV infection among the severely mentally ill also directly involves the psychiatrist today in HIV/AIDS care. Anxiety, depressive spectrum, neurocognitive, and psychotic disorders present with symptom profiles and in settings that are specific to HIV infection and require the need for individually tailored psychiatric care. Guidelines for the psychiatrist treating HIV infected patients are available. It is incumbent upon the practicing psychiatrist to maintain familiarity with these guidelines and offer the capacity to treat the psychiatric disorders that occur in this patient population.