title: Depression and support systems in male army HIV+ patients.
abstract: Psychiatric interviews were conducted with 55 male Army HIV+ patients. These soldiers were diagnosed in an early stage of HIV, and were not clinically demented. Sixty-four percent were given diagnoses of a depressive disorder by a psychiatrist, while 42% self-reported depression. Fifty-five percent had a history of suicidal thoughts since their diagnosis of HIV, but only one soldier was actively suicidal. Half said that they followed a more healthy lifestyle since their diagnoses. Factors associated with a high rate of depression included being divorced, of Hispanic origin, having other medical problems, or a history of mental illness. Not telling friends and family, or feeling a lack of support from them or the military, was also significantly correlated with depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307-5001.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Ritchie
authors.forename: A Q
authors.initials: AQ
authors.lastname: Radke
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States