Say No to AIDS
DEPRESSION,
ANXIETY & MORE


Living with HIV can sometimes be emotionally challenging, and it is important to know that if you begin to experience any mental health challenges that you are certainly not alone. It is not uncommon to experience symptoms of anxiety, depression or other challenges. Please note that some of these challenges may be side effects of your Antiretroviral medication. In those cases, it is wise to speak to your doctor for guidance. This, however, only happens to a small number of people, and typically goes away within a few weeks of treatment.

Here are some physical and emotional symptoms of both depression and anxiety that you may wish to look out for.

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Depression

  • Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping too much or too little)
  • Restlessness
  • Exhaustion
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Changes in appetite
  • Loss of interest in socializing
  • Loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyed
  • Persistent sadness
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Thoughts about self-harm
  • Withdrawal from friends
  • Feelings of loneliness
  • Feelings of irritability

Anxiety

  • Feelings of exhaustion
  • Becoming easily tired
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Feeling restless and on-edge
  • Feelings of irritability
  • Having unexplained aches in the body
  • Excessive worrying and a difficulty to stop anxious thoughts.
  • Difficulty sleeping

As you may see above, there are some similarities between anxiety and depression. The more important difference is that depression is usually accompanied by sadness and a loss of interest in engaging with others, while anxiety is not.

It is often common for people to try to numb these feelings via the following behaviours:

  • Overeating
  • Watching lots of television
  • Substance abuse and dependency
  • Sex

If you would like to develop healthy coping mechanisms, please feel free to open up to the social worker who is assigned to your Treatment site. You can also try some of the R.E.C.E.S.S strategies.

If you think you may be depressed, and are having thoughts of self-harm, or suicide, please call Lifeline. Their contact numbers are 800-5588 | 866-5433 | 220-3636

You can learn more about their 24/7 services on their website: https://findcarett.com/lifeline

Additionally, to receive additional referrals to address any other mental health concerns or to speak with someone on the National HIV Helpline, please call 800-4HIV or 800-4448. (This is a toll-free number)

You are not alone. #youarenotalonett

Other Mental Health Challenges

As you may have seen previously, there are some similarities between anxiety and depression. The more important difference is that depression is usually accompanied by sadness and a loss of interest in engaging with others, while anxiety is not.

It is often common for people to try to numb these feelings via the following behaviours:

  • Overeating
  • Watching lots of television
  • Substance abuse and dependency
  • Sex

If you would like to develop healthy coping mechanisms, please feel free to open up to the social worker who is assigned to your Treatment site. You can also try some of the R.E.C.E.S.S strategies.

If you think you may be depressed, and are having thoughts of self-harm, or suicide, please call Lifeline. Their contact numbers are 800-5588 | 866-5433 | 220-3636

You can learn more about their 24/7 services on their website: https://findcarett.com/lifeline

Additionally, to receive additional referrals to address any other mental health concerns or to speak with someone on the National HIV Helpline, please call 800-4HIV or 800-4448. (This is a toll-free number)

You are not alone. #youarenotalonett