The effect of Cognitive Behavioral Interventions on Mental health and death anxiety among HIV Patients.

The diagnosis of having HIV infection can produce strong emotional reactions in the individual. Initial feelings of shock and denial can turn to fear, guilt, anger, sadness, and a sense of hopelessness. Some people even have suicidal thoughts. They might feel helpless and fear illness, disability, and even death. Support from family and friends can be very helpful at these time along with professional help. HIV and mental health are deeply correlated. It has been studied that in most cases, poor mental health makes a person more vulnerable to HIV. On the other hand, the disease also has direct effect on the patient's mental health. HIV patients who experience an inordinate fear of death may be routinely avoiding fear-evoking cues (images, thoughts, physiological fluctuations, and situations) associated with death. The effect of cognitive behavioural interventions on mental health and death anxiety among HIV patients was the aim of this study. Methods: Total 390 HIV infected patients on anti-retroviral treatment for more than 6 months were selected Coronell Medical Index (CMI) heath questionnaire by N.N.Wig , Dwarka Prasad and S.K.Verma for mental health and Death anxiety scale (DAS) Hindi version by Upinder Dhar, Savita Mehta and Santosh Dhar questionnaires were used for assessment. After Pre and post cognitive behaviour interventions cognitive restructuring, structural relapse prevention, structured problem solving were selected as cognitive behavioral interventions on selected HIV patients collected data was analyzed. Conclusions-Cognitive behavioural interventions significantly improved mental health and death anxiety in HIV patients.