EMOTIONAL DEFICIT - AN ADAPTATIVE AND EVOLUTIVE PROCESS IN HIV-INFECTION

The objective of the present study was to evaluate emotional disturban ces and psychopathological symptoms in early stages of human immunodef iciency virus (HIV) infection. Seventy-one homosexual subjects, positi ve to HIV and two groups of HIV-negative subjects (32 homosexuals and 26 heterosexuals) were evaluated in a semi-structured interview by two trained raters. The results showed the presence of emotional perturba tions already in asymptomatic HIV-positive individuals even in the abs ence of caracterized depression and/or anxiety. This emotional deficit seemed to be more important in more advanced stages of the disease. D epressive and anxious symptoms appeared to be slightly but significant ly present in both groups of homosexual men. This emotional deficit co uld be the reflect of an adaptative process to the threatening consequ ences of HIV-infection. Emotional perturbations, even mild should not be neglected, because their reduction contributes to the psychological well being of HIV-positive subjects.