Research has enabled many men and women, and young people living with HIV to lead fuller, more productive lives. As with other serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease or stroke, however, HIV often can be accompanied by depression, an illness that can affect mind, mood, body and behavior. If left untreated, depression can increase the risk for suicide. Although as many as one in three persons with HIV may suffer from depression, family and friends and even many primary care physicians often misinterpret depression's warning signs. They often mistake these symptoms for natural accompaniments to HIV in the same way that family members and doctors often erroneously assume that symptoms of depression are a natural accompaniment to growing old.
Depression can strike at any age.
Although available therapies alleviate symptoms in over 80 percent of those treated, nearly two-thirds of those who suffer from depression don't get the help they need. Treat your depression Persons with depression and HIV must overcome stigma associated with both illnesses. Despite the enormous advances in brain research in the past 20 years, the stigma of mental illness remains. Even people who have access to good health care often fail or refuse to recognize their depression and seek treatment. Depression is a disease that affects how a person relates to people around them, and if left untreated, can cause relationships to deteriorate.