Abstract
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and related disorders are increasingly and unsettlingly prevalent. The authors describe neuropsychiatric, psychosocial, and ethical-legal problems associated with HIV infection that are commonly encountered in a consultation-liaison psychiatry setting. Because of HIV's potential for undermining cognitive function, they recommend a systematic neurobehavioral assessment for the differential diagnosis of emotional disturbance, including a test battery that also identifies neurotoxic effects of pharmacological agents. Among significant psychosocial and ethical-legal problems are patients' reactions to AIDS, their fears of social abandonment, staff burnout, antibody testing, confidentiality, and the use of life-support measures. The consultation-liaison psychiatrist's awareness of the complexities of HIV-related neuropsychiatric symptoms and psychosocial issues can be of enormous benefit to medical caregivers and to the patients themselves.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 146-153 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Hospital and Community Psychiatry |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1989 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health