Neuropsychiatric complications of HIV/AIDS

Abstract

The commonest neuropsychiatric complication of HIV/AIDS is adjustment reaction manifesting either as anxiety or depressive disorders. The psychosocial stress associated with socially stigmatising terminal illness coupled with the neurotropic effect of the retrovirus and the frequent occurrence of opportunistic infection of the brain due to immunosupression, might lead to other psychiatric disorders other than the adjustment reaction.


Key Words: HIV/ AIDS, opportunistic infection, Adjustment reaction


Annals of African Medicine Vol.3(2) 2004: 63-65