“When I found out, I thought I thought my life was over. Without a doubt, my life has been turned upside down, but I have found the possibility of being born again.”
HIV-positive patient.
“When he confessed to me his illness, the world collapsed on me. I felt betrayed. It took me time to understand what this disease really was and how you relate to it.”
A family member of HIV-positive people.
HIV identifies the human immunodeficiency virus which creates an infection by attacking the immune system, in particular the white blood cells. This renders the immune system inert in the face of infections, such as tuberculosis or certain types of cancer.
Even if nowadays being infected with HIV or developing the disease means living with a chronological condition, receiving a diagnosis of HIV (or discovering that a significant person is affected by it) has important repercussions in the emotional, sexual and relational spheres.
Those affected by the disease often report an initial sense of loss and discouragement: anger, helplessness, sadness, guilt, and shame… it is important to be able to listen and accept one’s emotions. Even when you feel nothing. Some people may react by following the medical steps carefully, but the emotional experience only comes out later.
Living with this disease often represents more of a process than a point of arrival. Some people perceive emotional difficulties, especially states of anxiety or depressive phenomena. It is important to be able to take care of these aspects.
Many people report having difficulties communicating their status to significant people. In Italy and the UK, there are no laws that oblige an HIV-positive person to disclose their status, except in cases in which they do not have protected sexual relations.
If you decide to tell your loved ones, it is important to take your time to understand the emotional distress to which you are exposed and to understand that the other person can react in different and sometimes unpredictable ways.
To find out more, contact me.
Dr Vanessa Pozzali 