Fear of Getting HIV Infection : A Case Study from Psychiatric Clinical Practice

Abstract

A 35 year old, married, truck driver referred to the psychiatric outpatients department for complaints of headache, palpitation, restlessness, lethargy, poor appetite and abdominal pain for more than 6 months. Patient was constantly worried about his symptoms, and their seriousness. History revealed about sexual contact with commercial sex worker with use of condom. Initially he was worried of acquiring Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) for which he had undergone multiple testing. Results were negative. Despite the negative test results, he was very much distressed and not able to convince himself for being healthy. There was no history of cough, sore throat, prolonged feverwith chills or rigors, and evening rise of temperature, burning micturition. Intensity of symptoms fluctuate. Patient had undergone various investigations including testing for HIV infection several times from different pathological laboratories, but results were within normal limits. Patient occasionally consumes alcohol. Pre-morbidly the patient was well adjusted to life; however history suggested that during his early adolescence, he used to feel anxious and worry on trivial issues. He would also worry for minor issues related to health. In past whenever he became sick, he would become very apprehensive and undergone various investigations and would be assured with very difficulty even all findings were within normal limits. His academic and work performances were also affected because of this behavior.