HIV/AIDS and Mental Health: A Discussion Paper

1. HIV/AIDS and Mental Health: A Discussion Paper • Mental Disorders Influence Behavior: • Cognitive disorders, substance abuse, and • disorders of personality can lead to a greater • possibility of HIV infection and spread by • reducing the likelihood of treatment and • increasing risky behavior. • HIV/AIDS causes Mental Disorders: • HIV/AIDS itself can lead to psychological • conditions due to circumstances surrounding • the disease, and psychiatric conditions resulting • from HIV- related neurological changes. • Mental Disorders may lead to New Strains of • HIV: There is a strong correlation between MH • disorders and noncompliance with HIV/AIDS • treatments. Therefore, addressing mental • disorders is critical for preventing the emergence • of deadlier strains of AIDS. The Relationship between HIV/AIDS and Mental Health Psychosocial Risks and Vulnerabilities for HIV/AIDS • Poverty leads to trading sex to meet basic needs, less • choice over condom use, and possibly multiple sexual • partners for economic protection. • Humanitarian Crises lead to weakened social • services, widespread unemployment, social displacement • and desperation. • Conflictsprecipitate forced displacement and sudden • destitution, the collapse of social structures and breakdown • of rule of law. • Childhood Sexual Abuse leads to early sexual activity, • prostitution and promiscuous sexual practices. • Educational Level is linked to condom use. • Gender Inequality leaves women socially, • biologically and economically more vulnerable to • HIV/AIDS. • Stigma and Discrimination prevent the • infected from seeking treatment and modifying • risky behavior. • Mental Illness can impair judgment, leading to • a higher risk of infection. • Substance Abuse can lead to initial infection • and subsequent spread due to reduced inhibitions • and clouded judgment. 1. Mental and behavioral disorders constitute 10% of DALYS for non-communicable disease in developing countries. HIV/AIDS has been causally linked to all conditions except obsessive compulsive disorder. 2. Mental disorders are a major risk factor for non-adherence to drug regimens. 3. Mental disorders lead to risky behavior by impairing judgment, reducing fear of consequences, and increasing vulnerability to outside influences. 4. HIV/AIDS- related mental disorders lead to economic loss by disrupting functioning and reducing short and long-term productivity. If they are not addressed, the costs of travel to specialists and days of work forgone can be triple the health care costs of treatment. Consequences of Not Addressing Mental Health within the HIV/AIDS Pandemic