Hi all,
Have any of you noticed that half; if not 80% of the battle with HIV is psychological and emotional?
I say this in the advent of having the medicines which, even though has side effects allows us to live longer and be uninfectious.
Anyway, what are your thoughts.
I agree that the biggest battle is psychological and emotional. However, I think there is a bigger problem with loneliness and isolation to narrow it down further. I realise that these fall under the catagories of psychological and emotional problem.
Sorry , but I'm going to disagree !
In life shit happens - it's how you deal with it that counts .
When I was diagnosed seven years ago I tried to find out as much information about the disease and its treatment as I could so that I had a good grasp on what I was dealing with .
I am also co infected with Hep B - which in fact is possibly more of a problem than the HIV . When I received the diagnosis I made a conscious decision not to disclose it to anyone - not even my local Doctors
Other than hospital appointments the condition does not intrude into my life at all , and basically I never give it a thought - other than reading these posts of course
Asthma , arthritis and old age are far greater problems .
I agree, hence it's psychological. There are far greater problems.
I have not encountered the emotional or the psychological parts, however I deal with things in a very humorous way. You could say I find the POZ-itive in everything! But seriously folks....
The changes in my body are my concern, 8 years POZ and I'm on my third med change. Next med change, no more one a day. High blood pressure/ High Cholesterol/ HPV went active/and the real pain in my ass......Anal Canal Cancer(treatable). .....But still a pain in my Ass!
We all have an opinion on what the biggest battle is with having HIV. Your opinion is not the same as mine and vise/versa but there both important. I deal with it through humor, it works for me
It's great we can talk about here!
That's a great way to deal with things. So, would you say that for you; your mental attitude was to treat it with positivity and humour?
Can you share some examples, please?
I'm sure a lot of people would benefit from it. ☺
"When I received the diagnosis I made a conscious decision not to disclose it to anyone - not even my local Doctors"
The above statement is a part of 'our' problem. Hence, in my opinion, falls under the umbrella of a psychological affect.
Many of us don't disclose to our local doctors for fear of the news somehow spreading that we have HIV. If it's not an issue then why not tell your local doctor? If you had diabetes for example, would you keep it from your local doctor?
A part of you will probably reject this and say " well, they're not the same thing, you can't compare" but they are both information about YOU that anybody you go to aid with the care of you ought to know. So that they don't give you anything that may interact with medications you're taking.
It's not a condition which forces you to think or feel it every day by way of pain but it affects us in key ways such as dating; getting rejected then adjusting your views and how you feel. Not disclosing to doctors; for fear that this big secret about you will be shared and you'll be talked about in your home town. Dealing with AIDs jokes; which subconsciously reinforces there's something wrong. There are many other things.
Dealing with the loneliness especially.
Is that we cope because it's 'our little secret?'. Something we can handle because this condition is not something we wear, there's no tell signs. Only when we share are we reminded that we are HIV poz.
One of the main reasons for non disclosure is I don't want to be lumbered with other people's reactions .
As far as the Doctors go I have found GP's to be next to useless . I am just as capable of looking up any possible interactions between medications as they are . Any doubt and I would contact the pharmacist at the clinic who's specialty this is .
Speaking personally , I'm a very independent and self reliant person , I don't need other people or their support , and actually have more to do in my life than I have time for .
By far the worst thing that has ever happened to me is old age , and there's nothing that can be done about that !
I agree with you totally - the biggest danger is from fear and guilt. Obviously some people have horrific physical issues, especially those on early treatments but if they have managed to deal with those then I'm sure they way they make them feel was almost as bad as dealing with them.
I was very ill at one point and keeping my head together was nearly impossible.... I'm glad I did though as life has so much joy to offer if you let yourself out to enjoy it.
Much love.
Chris xxx
HIV positive single mother. 
25 hiv hiv undetectable 
Hiv pos from genital rubbing 
HIV new
Coping with hiv