HIV and cognitive impairment

​Experiencing memory loss, poor concentration
or behaviour change?

If you're experiencing any of the symptoms below it might be related to HIV. This is called HIV associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). But it could be related to something else, like depression, dementia or substance use. The Adahps psychologist can conduct a neuropsychological assessment to help establish if the change is normal and what might have caused it.

Memory loss

• Are you more forgetful than usual?
• Do you increasingly rely on memory aids like a diary, notes or lists?
• Does it take more time or effort to recall things?
• Do you walk into a room and forget what you wanted to do?
• Do you find it hard to find the words to say what you want to say?​

Poor concentration​

• Do you need to concentrate a lot harder to achieve the same result?
• Do you need to re-read information to understand it?
• Do you find it hard to do two things at once?
• Are you easily distracted? For example, do you get side-tracked while cooking and then not return to the stove?
• Do you find it hard to follow conversations, especially when talking to more than one person?

Behaviour change

• Are you becoming more irritable?
• Do you act more carelessly and don’t care what others think?
• Has your handwriting changed or your ability to type or perform other tasks (such as doing up buttons)?
• Do you feel more tired at the end of the day?
• Do you find it harder to go out because of your symptoms?