This article presents the outcomes of clinical practice and a theoretical review of the main issues related to HIV Infection, including a general panorama of possible emotional alterations that can be present in HIV-positive persons or in those who have AIDS. The issues related to psychological intervention based on the cognitive-behavioral therapeutic approach are the central theme. It will be shown that the problems of persons infected with the AIDS virus, require specific attention if a bio-psycho-social approach to these problems is proposed. Besides the need for attention to the actual illness, there are other aspects related to the social rejection it causes, family care, social, legal, and labor problems, as well as the need for information, counseling, and psychological support for the patients and their family.
Cognitive-behavior therapy; AIDS; HIV; emotional disorders