One psychological stressor of being a part of the HIV population is depression. Some people become overwhelmed with shame when they learn they are HIV-positive, said Mike Rizzo, manager of crystal methamphetamine addiction and recovery services at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. “Especially nowadays when we know how to prevent [HIV] and people still are getting infected,” he said. “There is shame, guilt, and remorse.”People with HIV Suffer from Depression Caused by Shame, Trauma, and Substance Abuse.”

Depression is the most common mental health condition with people living with HIV/AIDS. Patients receiving HIV treatment are three times more likely to experience more hardship which may increase the chances of developing depression. The overall hardships that people with HIV/AIDS go through range from poverty, isolation, stigmatizing, worrying about death and the feeling of being different from other people.