HIV/AIDS: Coping Skills

Receiving a diagnosis of any life-threatening illness is devastating. But the emotional, social and financial consequences of HIV/AIDS can make coping with this illness especially difficult — not only for you but also for those closest to you.

Fortunately, a wide range of services and resources are available to people with HIV. Most HIV/AIDS clinics have social workers, counselors or nurses who can help you with problems directly or put you in touch with people who can. All have experience with HIV and are there to help you with the large part of your life that lies beyond medicine. They can arrange for transportation to and from doctor appointments, help with housing and child care, deal with employment and legal issues and see you through financial emergencies.

Treatment for HIV presents its own problems. The regimens are complex and side effects can be severe. Furthermore, the physical effects of treatment can create difficulties in other areas of your life. You may have a hard time explaining to your employer why you're sick so often or have so many doctor visits, for example. You also may not be able to participate in life as fully as you would like.

Some of the following suggestions may help you deal with the emotional toll of living with HIV/AIDS:

• Learn all you can about HIV/AIDS. Find out how the disease progresses, your prognosis and your treatment options, including both experimental and standard treatments and their side effects. The more you know, the more active you can be in your own care. One valuable resource is the National AIDS Hotline. The people there can answer questions about many different aspects of living with HIV/AIDS. You can reach them 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (800) 342-AIDS, or (800) 342-2437.
• Be proactive. Although you may often feel tired and discouraged, don't let others — including your family or your doctor — make important decisions for you. Take an active role in your treatment.
• Maintain a strong support system. Strong relationships are crucial in dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Although friends and family can be your best allies, in some cases they may have trouble dealing with your illness. If so, an HIV counselor, other people who are HIV-positive, or a formal support group may be especially helpful.
• Take time to make important decisions. One intense struggle you'll likely face is how much to reveal about your illness. When your disease is first diagnosed, you may not want anyone to know. But HIV/AIDS is a terrible burden to carry alone. Like many people, you may eventually decide that it's important for your emotional well-being to confide in someone you trust. The choice is up to you. You need to tell your current and former sexual partners and your health care providers. Beyond that there is no legal obligation for you to reveal your HIV status, even to your employer. In fact, the law guarantees your right to privacy.
• Come to terms with your illness. Coming to terms with your illness may be the hardest thing you've ever done. For some people, having a strong faith or a sense of something greater than themselves makes this process easier. Others seek counseling from someone who understands HIV/AIDS. Still others make a conscious decision to experience their lives as fully and intensely as they can or to help other people who have the disease. A vast support network is available for people with HIV infection. Call the National AIDS Hotline at (800) 342-AIDS, or (800) 342-2437 for more information.