Depression in HIV-infected patients: Allopathic, complementary, and alternative treatments
Received 28 April 2003; accepted 24 February 2004.
Abstract
Objectives
The purpose of this review article is to synthesize the current knowledge related to depression and HIV disease.
Methods
The research literature was critically evaluated for several selected therapies that are prescribed for HIV-infected persons to treat depression. These therapies included pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, alternative, and complementary therapies.
Results
Several therapies are currently available for the treatment of depression in HIV disease. When prescribing treatments, clinicians should be aware of problems associated with diagnoses, drug–drug interactions, and the benefits of some of the new therapies that are now available. Treatment regimes should be carefully designed to meet the individual needs of the patient and will optimally include a combination of approaches including psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, education, and/or complementary therapies.
Conclusions
Although HIV is now a treatable disease, the prevalence of depression in the HIV population remains high and should be continually addressed.
aDepartment of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, 1300 Wheat Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
bCollege of Nursing, University of South Carolina, 1601 Green Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
cDepartment of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina, School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
Corresponding author. Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, 1300 Wheat Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. Tel.: +1-803-777-1715; fax: +1-803-777-8422
ABSTRACT