With so much information out there it can be hard to tell what’s true and what isn’t. Here are some mythbusters…
MYTH – If I have HIV and problems with my thinking and memory, it means I have HIV dementia.
This is generally not true. Thanks to good antiretroviral therapy, the HIV dementia we saw in the 80s, 90s and 00s is now very rare. Problems with thinking and memory are normally mild and stable – this means for most people they won’t get worse. These individuals may receive a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. For some people, their thinking and memory problems might mean they have a dementia, like Alzheimer’s disease.
This is not true. Not all thinking and memory problems will get worse. In fact for some they will get better with improved lifestyle and better management of other conditions.
My thinking and memory problems will definitely get worse, and there is nothing I can do to improve it.
My thinking or memory problems are just because of my HIV
This is not true. Your brain health can be affected by lots of different things. Plenty of people who don’t have HIV have issues with their thinking and memory too, particularly as they get older. HIV can have an effect on your brain, but there are often many factors causing problems with thinking or memory.
For the most part this is not true. In fact your HIV medications will be protecting your brain. However, some HIV medications are better than others in terms of brain health.
It is important that you speak to your HIV doctor if you are worried about your brain health. They will be able to discuss options to switch to an ART which is better for your brain if needed.
My HIV medicines are making my thinking and memory problems worse
Isn’t some thinking and memory issues just a normal part of getting older?
Some degree of decline in brain function is considered a normal part of ageing.
As we grow older we may experience changes in memory and thinking speed which can be due to various things like changes in brain structure, chemical changes and slight damages to blood vessels.
It is essential to know the difference between normal age-related changes and more severe brain impairments which are linked to Mild Cognitive Impairment or dementia.
Things that interfere with your ability to do your normal daily activities, such as memory losses or feelings of confusion, should always be discussed with a healthcare professional.
This is not true. Not all thinking and memory problems will get worse. In fact for some they will get better with improved lifestyle and better management of other conditions.
My thinking and memory problems will definitely get worse, and there is nothing I can do to improve it.
This is just a normal part of getting older, there’s nothing I can do to help my memory and thinking?
Whether the changes in your brain functioning are small and due to normal ageing or are something more serious, maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help protect your brain.
Getting regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, socialising and keeping your brain stimulated can help protect against declines and promote overall brain health.
While declining brain health is closely linked to older age, problems with thinking and memory can affect anyone regardless of how old someone is.
In fact if you are younger and experiencing these types of problems, it may indicate that your HIV medication isn’t working properly or that your mental health is affecting your thinking and memory.
It’s really important that if you or any friends/family notice thinking or memory issues you speak to your HIV care team or GP.
I don’t need to worry about my brain health, it only affects old people