Social Work Maatskaplike Werk, 44(3), August 2008, pp.246-251.
This article advances the argument that a diagnosis with HIV is inappropriately regarded as traumatic and that to a large extent the shift in diagnosis criteria from the DSM-III-R to the DSM-IV has played a role in expanding definition of what might be regarded as a traumatic event. The notion of conceptual bracket creep is offered to account for the ever-increasing number of events that may
This article advances the argument that a diagnosis with HIV is inappropriately regarded as traumatic and that to a large extent the shift in diagnosis criteria from the DSM-III-R to the DSM-IV has played a role in expanding definition of what might be regarded as a traumatic event. The notion of conceptual bracket creep is offered to account for the ever-increasing number of events that may qualify as traumatic. The article considers the persons diagnosed with HIV require help in living with their condition, accessing treatment, and dealing with social stigma instead of being regarded as traumatised.
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, post traumatic stress disorder, traumas, diagnosis;
Little systematic epidemiological research has been conducted on the extent of psychiatric disorders among South African patients in general, and among patients living with HIV in particular – yet disorders such as depression and anxiety appear to be common with patients suffering from HIV. This study reports on a survey conducted among 85 patients receiving treatment at three HIV clinics in the Western Cape. Participants completed the Hopkins Symptom Checklist and the Beck Depression Inventory - both self-report instruments designed to measure mood disorder. The mean score of the sample on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist was 47.54, which was significantly different from the commonly used cut-off-point of 44 for clinically significant distress; 52.9% of the sample scored in the elevated range on this measure. On the Beck Depression Inventory, 37.6% of the sample fell in or above the normal range for depression. The results suggest that a considerable number of the sample may experience psychiatric difficulty, for which they may not be receiving treatment.
Little systematic epidemiological research has been conducted on the extent of psychiatric disorders among South African patients in general, and among patients living with HIV in particular – yet disorders such as depression and anxiety appear to be common with patients suffering from HIV. This study reports on a survey conducted among 85 patients receiving treatment at three HIV clinics in the Western Cape. Participants completed the Hopkins Symptom Checklist and the Beck Depression Inventory - both self-report instruments designed to measure mood disorder. The mean score of the sample on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist was 47.54, which was significantly different from the commonly used cut-off-point of 44 for clinically significant distress; 52.9% of the sample scored in the elevated range on this measure. On the Beck Depression Inventory, 37.6% of the sample fell in or above the normal range for depression. The results suggest that a considerable number of the sample may experience psychiatric difficulty, for which they may not be receiving treatment.
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, mental health problems, anxiety, depression, diagnosis;
It has been assumed that receipt of a diagnosis of HIV is a uniquely distressing event, more so than with any other illness. This article examines the extent to which sub-clinical psychological distress among South Africans living with HIV is any different from patients living with other chronic diseases, namely hypertension and diabetes. The study compared the mean scores on the Hopkins Symptom
It has been assumed that receipt of a diagnosis of HIV is a uniquely distressing event, more so than with any other illness. This article examines the extent to which sub-clinical psychological distress among South Africans living with HIV is any different from patients living with other chronic diseases, namely hypertension and diabetes. The study compared the mean scores on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist, a measure of emotional distress, of 85 patients with HIV/AIDS, 85 patients with hypertension, 25 with diabetes, and 14 patients with both hypertension and diabetes. The differences among the 4 groups were non-significant, suggesting that living with HIV/AIDS may be no more emotionally distressing than other common chronic illnesses. It is speculated that these findings may be accounted for in terms of the high prevalence of HIV in South Africa, the recent availability of antiretroviral treatment resulting in HIV being seen as a chronic illness rather than a death sentence, and the base rate of mental health problems among the South African population.
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, long term conditions, mental health problems, diabetes, diagnosis, heart diseases;