Consultation-liaison psychiatry and HIV-related disorders.
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and related disorders are increasingly and unsettlingly prevalent. The authors describe neuropsychiatric, psychosocial, and ethical-legal problems associated with HIV infections that are commonly encountered in a consultation-liaison psychiatry setting. Because of HIV's potential for undermining cognitive function, they recommend a systematic neurobehavioral assessment for the differential diagnosis of emotional disturbance, including a test battery that also identifies neurotoxic effects of pharmacological agents. Among significant psychosocial and ethical-legal problems are patient's reactions to AIDS, their fears of social abandonment, staff burn-out, antibody testing, confidentiality, and the use of life-support measures. The consultation-liaison psychiatrist's awareness of the complexities of HIV-related neuropsychiatric symptoms and psychosocial issues can be of enormous benefit to medical caregivers and to the patients themselves.
Fernandez
F
F
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
Holmes
V F
VF
Levy
J K
JK
Ruiz
P
P
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D001927:Brain Diseases; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011570:Psychiatry; D012017:Referral and Consultation