Suicidality and HIV status

Am J Psychiatry. 1992 Mar;149(3):396-8. doi: 10.1176/ajp.149.3.396.

Abstract

Among psychiatric consultation patients, 322 AIDS patients were significantly less suicidal than 82 other HIV-positive patients and were comparable in suicidality to 1,086 patients with negative or unknown HIV status. AIDS patients had significantly more organic mental disorders. Organicity, denial, acceptance, and/or preoccupation with a fatal illness may reduce suicidality in AIDS patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / psychology
  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health
  • Denial, Psychological
  • Ethnicity
  • Female
  • HIV Seropositivity / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mental Disorders / psychology*
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / diagnosis
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / psychology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Sex Factors
  • Suicide / psychology*