Depression in HIV-infected patients: Allopathic, complementary, and alternative treatments

Fulk, L.J.; Kane, B.E.; Phillips, K.D.; Bopp, C.M.; Hand, G.A.

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2004.02.019

« Previous Next »Journal of Psychosomatic Research
Volume 57, Issue 4 , Pages 339-351, October 2004

Depression in HIV-infected patients:

Allopathic, complementary, and alternative treatments

L.J. Fulk
- Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, 1300 Wheat Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
B.E. Kane
- Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, 1300 Wheat Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
K.D. Phillips
- College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, 1601 Green Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
C.M. Bopp
- Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, 1300 Wheat Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
G.A. Hand
- 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
- Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, 1300 Wheat Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina, School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208, USA

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.