Can long-term HIV treatment cause severe depression?
Can antiretroviral cause you to be severely depressed after taking them for 10+ years?
Hello there
, we appreciate you taking the time to reach out to our community! We strongly encourage you, if you haven't done so already, to bring this up with your doctor. Depression can occasionally be a side effect of long-term HIV treatment, yes. I thought that this article from our site, discussing depression and HIV might be helpful for you: https://h-i-v.net/depression-anxiety/ Please know that our community is always here for you. Gently, Ashley (H-I-V.net Team Member) Yes, I've been on meds for 19+ years and have been severely depressed about the past 10 years. It's horrible. Meds have come a long way now having once a day pills and minimal side effects. I started on AZT about the beginning of Antiretroviral Therapy and I believe that all of the meds I've taken throughout my life have had a major impact on my mental health as well as my physical health.
Hi KeithJ72, thanks for sharing your experiences with our community. It is so helpful when members take the time to give feedback to one another. However, I am so saddened to hear that you are struggling greatly with your depression. I think you make a strong point that medications can impact both physical and mental health. Have you talked with your healthcare provider about the way you've been feeling? Although some meds may impact our mental health, there are other meds out there that can help improve our mental wellbeing. If you're not interested in medication, there are also other techniques like counseling that can help as well. Just thinking out loud! Please know we're here for you, and want you feeling the absolute best you can! Sending strength and virtual hugs your way. -Casey, H-I-V.net Team
Alafia (Peace)
, I wish we had the answers to so many questions about the effects to our medications on both our physical and mental health. We could all benefit from some major research efforts.
As for me, I can't say if my diagnosed depressive disorder came before or after my HIV diagnosis. What I do know is that without addressing my mental health I would not be in a position to maintain my overall physical health. Khafre (Team Member)
Hi there, for anyone following this thread looking for information on depression, this article has helped some people with this very question. Let me know if this is what you had in mind and if there is anything else we can provide: https://h-i-v.net/living/mental-health-conditions - Liz (Team Member)
