Findings in psychiatric consultations with patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1985. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Findings in psychiatric consultations with patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Am J Psychiatry. 1985 Jan;142(1):82-6. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/85094667
Dilley JW; Ochitill HN; Perl M; Volberding PA


Abstract: Thirteen of 40 patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) admitted to the wards of a large city hospital were seen by the staff of a psychiatric consultation service. Eleven were gay men and two were bisexual men. Depression was the stated reason for referral of 10 patients; of these, two met DSM-III criteria for major depression, one had dysthymic disorder, and seven had adjustment disorder with depressed mood. Recurrent psychological themes of the 13 patients were: dealing with a life-threatening illness, uncertainty about the implications of an AIDS diagnosis, social isolation, and guilt over their previous life style. The role of the primary physician and of the mental health professional in the psychological care of AIDS patients is discussed.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PSYCHOLOGY Adjustment Disorders/DIAGNOSIS/PSYCHOLOGY Adult Attitude of Health Personnel Attitude to Health Case Report Depressive Disorder/DIAGNOSIS/PSYCHOLOGY Guilt Homosexuality Human Life Style Male Mental Disorders/*DIAGNOSIS/PSYCHOLOGY/THERAPY Primary Health Care/STANDARDS Psychiatry Referral and Consultation Social Isolation JOURNAL ARTICLE

KWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/KWDpsychologyadjustmentdisorders/diagnosis/psychologyadultattitudeofhealthpersonnelattitudetohealthcasereportdepressivedisorder/diagnosis/psychologyguilthomosexualityhumanlifestylemalementaldisorders/KWDdiagnosis/psychology/therapyprimaryhealthcare/standardspsychiatryreferralandconsultationsocialisolationjournalarticle
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M8540055


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