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Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Women with HIV often report experiencing feelings of isolation, depression, loss of sleep and anxiety on diagnosis.

An HIV diagnosis is a life-changing event and these responses are not unexpected. Sometimes support from others with HIV, friends and family is sufficient to help you find a way forward, but you may also want to see a counsellor or therapist at some point, or need some medication to help with depression or other mental health problems.

And don't forget your own health needs, even if you have responsibilities for looking after others.

Your HIV clinic or GP may be able to refer you to specialist services, or you could contact a support organisation providing these services (see Where to go for information and support).

Some women become depressed while they are pregnant or after they have had a baby (post-natal depression). If you become pregnant, your antenatal care will include an assessment to see if you might be at risk of this, and referral to other services if that’s what is best for you.

You can also find out more about emotional and mental health, and get more information on how to access different mental health services and treatments, in NAM’s booklet HIV, mental health & emotional wellbeing.

HIV & women

Published July 2014

Last reviewed July 2014

Next review July 2017

Contact NAM to find out more about the scientific research and information used to produce this booklet.

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.
Community Consensus Statement on Access to HIV Treatment and its Use for Prevention

Together, we can make it happen

We can end HIV soon if people have equal access to HIV drugs as treatment and as PrEP, and have free choice over whether to take them.

Launched today, the Community Consensus Statement is a basic set of principles aimed at making sure that happens.

The Community Consensus Statement is a joint initiative of AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC and NAM/aidsmap
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.