Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and consultation-liaison psychiatry

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a new highly lethal transmissible syndrome that occurs primarily in identified high-risk groups. The number of AIDS cases has been doubling approximately every 6 months in the United States since 1981. A large number of healthy HTLV-III seropositive individuals, and a significant number of individuals with AIDS-related complex (ARC), who are at increased risk for eventual development of AIDS, have been identified. At least one third of AIDS patients develop neurologic disease prior to death. Organic mental disorders are frequent in AIDS and can have devastating consequences. Severe psychologic distress and functional psychiatric syndromes are also common. The psychosocial effects of AIDS for patients, family and friends, and health-care professionals are discussed in relationship to the psychosocial consequences of other serious medical illnesses including cancer. An ideal comprehensive program to meet the needs of "AIDS affected" individuals is presented, as are the authors' views on the tasks of C-L psychiatrists in participating in the comprehensive care of these individuals.