Medical advances in the treatment and management of HIV/AIDS in the last decade have considerably improved the health and quality of life of individuals living with HIV/AIDS; however, increased attention is now being paid towards the relationship between PTSD and HIV. Specifically, increased attention is now also being paid to how co-occurring psychological conditions, such as depression and PTSD, may impact the course of a person’s illness.
Trauma, PTSD, and HIV/AIDS
Many people living with HIV/AIDS report experiencing some kind of traumatic event in their life, including physical and sexual assault. In fact, one study of 162 primarily low income and ethnic minority HIV-positive men and women found that, on average, 45% (68% of women and 35% of men) reported experiencing a sexual assault at some point in their lifetime. These rates are higher than what is found among the general population.
Given the high rate of exposure to traumatic events among people living with HIV/AIDS, it is not surprising then that many also have a diagnosis of PTSD. Studies have found alarmingly high rates of PTSD among people living with HIV/AIDS. Specifically, rates of PTSD have been found to range anywhere from 22% to 64%. Again, these rates are higher than what is seen among people in the general population.
In addition, an HIV diagnosis has been linked to the development of PTSD symptoms. A diagnosis of HIV may be perceived as a traumatic event, as people may feel as though their life is threatened and may experience fear, helplessness, and/or horror as a result of the diagnosis. In addition, it has been found that believing the stigma attached to an HIV diagnosis may increase the severity of PTSD symptoms among individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
The Impact of PTSD on HIV/AIDS
A PTSD diagnosis can negatively impact the course and progression of HIV/AIDS in a number of ways. First, the PTSD diagnosis may negatively effect a person’s health. People with PTSD tend to report more health problems as compared to people without PTSD. Relatedly, people with PTSD tend to engage in more health-compromising behaviors, such as alcohol and drug use, smoking, low levels of physical activity, and having a poor diet.
A diagnosis of PTSD has also been found to interfere with adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) among people with HIV/AIDS. Studies have found that this may be related to the high levels of depression and distress that people with PTSD often experience.
Finally, PTSD may negatively impact immune function. It has been found in some studies (although not all) that HIV-positive individuals who have been exposed to a traumatic event show a more rapid decrease in CD4+/CD8+ cell ratios (cell counts used to determine how the immune system functions) as compared to HIV-positive individuals without a trauma history. In addition, the fact that PTSD is connected with an increased risk for substance use may also negatively impact the immune system.
What Can Be Done
If you are living with HIV/AIDS and PTSD, it is not only important to seek or maintain medical treatment for HIV/AIDS, but also to get treatment for your PTSD. A number of effective treatments are available for PTSD, and many therapists across the country specialize in PTSD treatment. By addressing your PTSD symptoms, you may also be able to improve your health and ability to manage your HIV/AIDS diagnosis.
Sources:
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