A study of psychiatric manifestations of physically asymptomatic hiv - I seropositive individuals

Neuropsychiatric disorders are common both secondary to the complications of immune suppression and as direct effects of HIV on the brain. A high prevalence of psychiatric disorder is reported both in physically asymptomatic and symptomatic persons. A thorough search was made in MEDLAR for the research literature available in the field of neuropsychiatric manifestations of AIDS. There is paucity of literature particularly in India and to be more specific in asymptomatic AIDS individuals, hence this study is intended to fill up the lacuna. The findings of this study show that the prevalence rate of psychiatric manifestations is 90% in HIV positive individuals and 33% in HIV negative group. This rate is significantly high though they are not suffering with physically disabling symptoms. So, the coping mechanisms and defence mechanisms in an individual who acquired HIV infection should be assessed and the significance of counselling before screening, plays a major role in the management of asymptomatic positive and negative individual.