Document 0892
 DOCN  M9460892
 TI    Suicidality in AIDS long-term survivors: what is the evidence? [see
       comments]
 DT    9404
 AU    Rabkin JG; Remien R; Katoff L; Williams JB; New York State Psychiatric
       Institute, NY 10032.
 SO    AIDS Care. 1993;5(4):401-11. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/94154021
 CM    Comment in: AIDS Care 1993;5(4):387-90
 AB    This study was designed to investigate suicidal ideation and attempts,
       thoughts about living and dying, and the maintenance, diminution and
       loss of hope in a sample of long-term AIDS survivors. The study sample
       consisted of 53 gay men enrolled as clients at Gay Mens Health Crisis in
       New York City who had had an AIDS-defining opportunistic infection at
       least 3 years prior to study entry. Despite the experience of protracted
       biological stress associated with life-threatening illness and the
       psychological stress of living with AIDS, we found low rates of current
       syndromal mood disorders (6%) or psychiatric distress. While thoughts
       about death and wishes to die were reported by a significant portion of
       men, they were context-specific, occurring almost exclusively during
       serious illness, often accompanied by severe pain or at times of
       bereavement. Only two men had made a suicide attempt after being
       diagnosed with AIDS and both had a history of prior (pre-AIDS) suicide
       attempts. While anger was a prominent affect, hopelessness was not.
       Overall, we found a high level of positive psychological health
       independent of HIV illness stage or degree of illness-induced physical
       limitation.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PSYCHOLOGY  Adaptation,
       Psychological  Adult  Attitude to Death  Crisis Intervention  Depressive
       Disorder/COMPLICATIONS/PSYCHOLOGY  Homosexuality/PSYCHOLOGY  Human  HIV
       Seropositivity/PSYCHOLOGY  Male  New York City  Personality Assessment
       Risk Factors  Sick Role  Suicide/PREVENTION & CONTROL/*PSYCHOLOGY
       Suicide, Attempted/PREVENTION & CONTROL/PSYCHOLOGY  Support, Non-U.S.
       Gov't  Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).