The effect of HIV/AIDS on Mental Health

 

Once a patient is diagnosed HIV positive, they must confront a range of psychological challenges when dealing with their condition. Some of these obstacles involve accepting the fact that they will remain HIV positive for the rest of their lives and accepting the consequences of that, such as the risk of passing it onto their future children or sexual partners.

 

They must also adapt to a healthier, medication filled lifestyle and live in fear of their health physically declining and if worst comes to worst, an early death. The virus comes with many uncertainties as there is no guarantee that it won’t progress into AIDS, even with treatment. In many cases, this may be overwhelming for patients, which is why the HIV virus is often associated with depression and other mental disorders.

 

Some emotional responses that a person may develop and feel regularly upon finding out they're HIV positive include:

 

· Shock

· Disbelief

· Panic

· Fear

· Guilt

· Anger

· Despair

· Hopelessness

· Numbness