<b>Depression, stress and alexitimy in patients with infection by the HIV virus</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v29i1.109

Abstract

During the course of the infection by HIV, depression is common. A high stress level can result in a smaller imunitary competence. Alexitimy is a reaction "state" for the effects of serious physical diseases. This work aimed to evaluate the depression levels, stress and alexitemy in patients infected with HIV. Fifty patients were selected. Depression, stress and alexitemy were evaluated. The application of scales showed low depression in 48% of patients, moderate in 28% and serious in 4%. 82% are alexitemics and 78% presented physical and psychological symptoms of stress. Patients with TCD4 linfocites tax <200/^mm3 presented a higher percentual of depression, stress and alexitemy. It was observed a higher incidence of opportunist infections in the patients with depression, whatever the linfocites T CD4+ tax was. These results suggest relation among depression, stress, alexitemy and higher infection by HIV.