Depression

Depression is a clinical illness which can become serious and impact your ability to function in everyday life if left untreated.

Some people describe it as ‘paralysing’ and it can stop them enjoying the company of their loved ones or from going to work.

Although anyone can suffer from depression, it is twice as common among those of us who are HIV positive. Around one in three people living with HIV have some symptoms of depression at some point in their lives.

Despite these figures, depression is not an inevitable aspect of HIV infection but it could be triggered if you feel anxious or uncertain about your future. It is possible that you could suffer from depression without realising it.

If you experience most or all of these symptoms on a daily basis for several weeks you may be depressed:

low mood
apathy
poor concentration
irritability
insomnia
early waking or oversleeping
inability to relax
weight gain or weight loss
loss of pleasure in usual activities
feelings of low self-worth
excessive guilt
recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Mental health professionals with experience in helping HIV positive patients are the best people to talk to about how to tackle depression. Depression is often treated with counselling or psychotherapy, sometimes used alongside medication. Side effects of anti-depressant medication should be monitored carefully to ensure that your HIV treatment is not affected, but most prescribed drugs have little or no interaction with regular medication.

As well as this approach, if you think your depression is quite mild, you could try increasing your mental activity – taking up a new hobby, planning a trip or spending time with people who make you feel good are all great ways to make yourself feel better.

Most importantly, ask for help when you need it. Depression is becoming more treatable all the time, for example in 2006 50% of people with depression were cured and 80% improved. Finally, depression can make you feel very isolated and alone – but you don’t have to be alone. Contact THT Direct, use our Service Finder or check out the links to the right for organisations that can help you.

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