AIDS-related psychiatric disorder

The background to HIV infection, its mode of transmission, and its neurological and psychiatric complications are described. The management of AIDS-related psychiatric disorder and problems encountered among staff involved in the management of patients suffering from AIDS are considered. There is a need for appropriate educational programmes. Although the incidence of AIDS in the UK has been appreciably lower than in many other countries, there are no grounds for complacency; psychiatric disorder associated with HIV infection will be encountered much more frequently in the future. Psychiatric staff are urged to inform and prepare themselves in anticipation of this development.