Mania in Hiv Infection

Mania in HIV infected individuals is an uncommon clinical presentation. It can, however, complicate any stage of the HIV infection. We herewith report a set of three case reports of patients with HIV infection who developed manic episodes. The cases highlight some aspects of the plausible relationship between HIV infection and mania. HIV infection could be revealed by manic episode, it could itself also be associated with increased cycling in bipolar patients. Mania could be secondary to HIV or zidovudine therapy (though the etiological role of the latter is as yet unclear). Mania could also occur as a reaction to awareness to having HIV infection. These relationships are important for both the physician and the psychiatrist as they have important therapeutic and prognostic implications.