HIV and AIDS and Mental Health

The stress associated with living with a serious illness or condition, such as HIV, can affect a person’s mental health. People with HIV have a higher chance of developing mood, anxiety, and cognitive disorders. For example, depression is one of the most common mental health conditions faced by people with HIV.

It is important to remember that mental disorders are treatable. People who have a mental disorder can recover.

HIV and related infections can also affect the brain and the rest of the nervous system. This may change how a person thinks and behaves. Also, some medications used to treat HIV may have side effects that affect a person's mental health.

Situations that can contribute to mental health problems for anyone: 

• Having trouble getting mental health services
• Experiencing a loss of social support, resulting in isolation
• Experiencing a loss of employment or worries about being able to perform at work
• Dealing with loss, including the loss of relationships or the death of loved ones

In addition, people with HIV include may also experience situations that negatively impact their mental health, such as: 

• Having to tell others about an HIV diagnosis
• Managing HIV medicines and medical treatment
• Facing stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS

Understanding how living with HIV can affect mental health and knowing what resources are available can make it easier for people to manage their overall health and well-being.

HIV causes significant inflammation in the body. This inflammation can cause neurological complications by damaging the spinal cord and brain, which form the central nervous system.

Despite effective ART, people with HIV are still at risk for central nervous system diseases associated with HIV. These diseases can be neurological (affecting the nervous system) or neurocognitive (affecting cognition or mental processing).

Severe neurological impairments such as dementia, brain atrophy, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) are less common in people who use ART, compared to people with HIV who are not on ART. However, there are still less severe forms of central nervous system diseases associated with HIV.

Researchers are working to better understand how HIV affects the central nervous system. This information will be helpful to develop new treatments to improve the lives of people with HIV. Understanding which types of cells in the central nervous system are targeted by the HIV infection and how those cells are damaged may help shape efforts to prevent, treat, and cure HIV.

Research efforts also focus on understanding why HIV is harder to eliminate in some tissues in the body and what strategies might be more effective on those cells.

Research shows that HIV treatment should begin as soon as possible after diagnosis to achieve the best health outcomes. Following a treatment plan, such as taking the medications prescribed by a health care provider, is critical for controlling and suppressing the virus.

Following the treatment plan can be difficult, but there are strategies that can help  such as following a treatment plan, creating a routine, setting an alarm, and downloading a reminder app on a smartphone.

Starting ART can affect mental health in different ways. Sometimes ART can relieve anxiety because knowing that you are taking care of yourself can provide a sense of security. However, coping with the reality of living with a chronic illness like HIV can be challenging. In addition, some antiretroviral medicines may cause symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sleeplessness and may make some mental health issues worse.

For these reasons, it is important for people with HIV to talk to a health care provider about their mental health before starting ART. These conversations should continue throughout treatment.

People with HIV should talk with their provider about any changes in their mental health , such as thinking or how they feel about themselves and life in general. People with HIV should also discuss any alcohol or substance use  with their provider.

People with HIV should also tell their health care provider about any over-the-counter or prescribed medications they may be taking, including any mental health medications, because some of these drugs may interact with antiretroviral medications. Learn tips for talking with a health care provider about your mental health.

Clinical trials are research studies that look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases and conditions, including mental illnesses. The goal of clinical trials is to determine if a new test or treatment works and is safe.

Although individual participants may benefit from being part of a clinical trial, participants should be aware that the primary purpose of a clinical trial is to gain new scientific knowledge so that others may be better helped in the future.

Researchers at NIMH and around the country conduct many studies with patients and healthy volunteers. We have new and better treatment options today because of what clinical trials uncovered years ago.

Be part of tomorrow’s medical breakthroughs. Talk to your health care provider about clinical trials, their benefits and risks, and if one is right for you.

To learn more or find a study, visit:

• NIMH’s Clinical Trials webpage: Information about participating in clinical trials
• ClinicalTrials.gov: HIV/AIDS and Depression : List of clinical trials funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) being conducted across the country
• Join a Study: Adults - HIV/AIDS Issues: List of studies being conducted on the NIH Campus in Bethesda, MD

Federal resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): HIV 
• HIV.gov: Mental Health and HIV 
• HIV.gov: HIV Basics 
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: HIV/AIDS 
• National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke: Neurological Complications of HIV 

Free brochures and fact sheets

• Depression: This brochure provides information about depression including the different types of depression, signs and symptoms, how it is diagnosed, treatment options, and how to find help for yourself or a loved one.
• Understanding the Link Between Chronic Disease and Depression: This fact sheet provides information about the link between depression and chronic disease. It describes what a chronic disease is, symptoms of depression, and treatment options, and presents resources to find help for yourself or someone else.
• Tips for Talking with A Health Care Provider About Your Mental Health: This fact sheet provides five tips to help prepare and guide you on how to talk to a health care provider about your mental health and get the most out of your visit.

Research and statistics

• NIMH Division of AIDS Research
• CDC: HIV Data 

Last Reviewed: November 2024