Impact of Psychosocial Intervention on Emotional Disorders and Medication Adherence in HIV/AIDS

Abstract

The study examines the effects of psychosocial intervention on emotional disorders and social issues among people infected with HIV/AIDS. Ten consented people infected with HIV, attending the antiretroviral therapy center of Jharkhand (India), and having emotional disorders and social problems, were selected conveniently. Only six participants completed all sessions for the psychosocial intervention spanning 6 months. Mental health and social issues are widespread among people infected with HIV, and this psychosocial problem hampers their treatment. Case 1 was suffering from hypochondriasis, and cognitive behavior therapy was implemented. Case 2 was having an anxiety disorder, and systematic desensitization with cognitive behavior therapy was administered on him. Cases 3 and 4 had marital conflicts, and marital therapy was conducted on the couple. Case 5 had moderate depression, and cognitive behavior therapy was applied. Case 6 had alcohol dependency, and motivational enhancement therapy was administered. Standard scales were used to monitor the progress of the reported symptoms. The baseline, midline, and endline scale scores showed recovery from psychosocial problems and improvement in CD-4 counts and medication adherence. Conclusively, individually tailored psychosocial intervention, along with anti-retroviral therapy, can improve the conditions of persons who have HIV/AIDS. The selection of six participants in the study was not randomized, controlled, and blinded.