Feeling down or depressed

A HIV+ person might feel down or depressed for a number of reasons, which may or not be related to their condition.  No matter the cause, rehabilitation can help.  No formal diagnosis of depression is required, though the rehabilitation professional or complementary therapist might recommend seeing someone who can make a diagnosis if they feel it is necessary.

  • Exercise can be helpful in improving depression symptoms; a physiotherapist or physiatrist can work with you to develop an exercise plan that meets your needs.
  • An occupational therapist or social worker can help you challenge negative thoughts that may be contributing to depression.
  • An occupational therapist can teach you relaxation and mindfulness techniques as coping strategies.
  • If depression is affecting your ability to perform daily tasks, an occupational therapist can use techniques such as scheduling to rebuild your activity level.
  • Depression can cause other issues, such as weight loss/gain, insomnia, anxiety, and difficulties with memory.  Rehabilitation services can help in these instances, as outlined elsewhere in this chapter.

Other Rehabilitation Therapies

  • Poor eating habits can affect mood1.  A dietitian can help you to improve eating habits.

Complementary Therapies

  • Some people find that reflexology and acupuncture improves their mood.
  • Massage therapy can help reduce tension, which can improve mood in some people.

1Jacka, Felice N., et al. "The association between habitual diet quality and the common mental disorders in community-dwelling adults: the Hordaland Health study." Psychosomatic medicine 73.6 (2011): 483-490.