MOOD AND PSYCHIATRIC DISTURBANCE IN HIV AND AIDS - CHANGES OVER TIME

A sample of 26 HIV seronegative, 59 HIV seropositive asymptomatic and 7 HIV seropositive symptomatic homosexual and bisexual men were assess ed over two visits, a mean of 11 months apart, using the BDI, STAI, an d CIS. Significant differences emerged between the symptomatic group a nd the other two groups. Past psychiatric history and the somatic item s in the assessments accounted for some of these differences. The sero positive asymptomatic and the seronegative groups did not differ on an y of the mood or psychiatric assessments, suggesting minimal effect on psychological well-being of seroconversion in the absence of symptoms .