A critical analysis of morbid fear of HIV/AIDS

Despite repeated negative HIV test results some individuals continue to fear that they have been infected. This paper presents a review of the psychopathology of such individuals and addresses the problem of the diagnostic confusion. It is argued that some individuals with this persistent fear of HIV show features akin to both hypochondriasis and obsessive-compulsive disorder. A functional analysis is presented to guide the clinician in understanding this problem.