I asked this question in the mental health section, but I after thinking about it, I've decided that it's a physiological question, and decided to ask here to give myself a better chance at getting a response.

I need to know the causes if there is such a thing as HIV-related memory loss. I am not speaking about later-stage dementia - I mean short-term memory loss and forgetfulness. My doctor has told me and several others in my support group that it's strictly a stress-related issue, but I find that hard to believe. I am hoping to bring in some written proof from you to my group to prove that this is not all in our heads.

Thank you in advance.

I recently answered this question in the mental health section. Yes, I agree that many patients may notice problems with memory. The reasons may be multiple. In my experience, depression and anxiety can play a large role. Some medications can cause memory problems such as efavirenz. So, a careful approach should be undertaken with your health care provider to evaluate each of the potential causes.