Psychological Dimension of HIV/AIDS and Recent Advances in Its Management

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.