Currently, the HIV/AIDS problem remains acute and relevant for the whole society and, above all, for those people whose life has been directly related to HIV infection. The total number of registered cases of HIV infection in Belarus is more than 22.5 thousand, more than 17 thousand adults and children live with HIV in our country. In recent years, the situation with HIV/AIDS around the world has undergone a number of serious changes. Now the virus is more often transmitted in sexual contact. Medical help is addressed by a variety of people, often socially prosperous, which contradicts the formed opinion that only one who constantly and grossly violates generally accepted social norms can become infected.
Information about HIV-positive status can dramatically change the emotional state of a person. Often the first reaction is shock, which can last from a short moment to several days. After that, as a rule, stronger feelings are manifested. Such feelings can be anger, despair, in some cases aggression. The sick person is looking for guilty, he can be aggressive in relation to doctors, in his opinion, who does not do their work properly, or to healthy people who live and enjoy life when he suffers suffering. There are frequent cases of auto -aggression. At this stage, there is already an understanding that there is a disease, but I do not want to take it, it is impossible to believe that such a nightmare happened to you: “Why is I? Why do I have all this? ” In some cases, a person experiences fear and sadness, accompanied by a feeling of guilt. During this period, a person especially needs attention and support from relatives and friends.
After that, the stage of adoption of the situation comes when a person admits that there is a disease that needs to be treated, begins to think rationally, soberly evaluate chances, look for constructive ways to get out of the situation. The realization that you can live with infection for years, and study and work can continue, helps to live on.
The stages of acceptance of the inevitable are the individual experiences of each person. Some stages can take place unnoticed by him, then return again. Many reactions and their severity depend on the individual characteristics of a person.
Today, most people living with HIV are admitted that after the first shock period (a clock for someone, and for some weeks and months), an adaptation period for their new status occurs, and at the same time a surge of energy, the desire to live and enjoy life often arises. People open their eyes to what they had not noticed before, they begin to experience real happiness from the simplest things. Usually the stage of humility is accompanied by a sense of great relief. A person has forces to participate in the process of recovery and share his experience with others.
In any difficult life situation, the most important rule for a person is not to close in themselves, because “one in the field is not a warrior” is understood by those who are looking for contacts with other HIV -positive people and, as a result, finds or creates mutual assistance groups living with HIV. It is here in an informal setting, without hiding your HIV status, you can be yourself, communicate with the same people, solve problems, receive support and provide it to others, and also find future friends.
It is natural that the appearance of HIV in a person causes a number of psychological problems. Someone used to cope with everything himself, friends or mutual assistance group can help someone, and for someone the best way to solve problems is to seek professional help. An appeal to a psychologist or psychotherapist is an opportunity to learn more about yourself, your potential, about existing ways to cope with the situation in order to feel more confident and better. Someone will choose individual counseling, group therapy is suitable for others. The most important thing is that people know where to turn and what help to count on.
Of course, life with the disease will not become more carefree, rather the opposite - there will be a need for a more attentive attitude towards oneself, to their health, to loved ones. It is important to understand that thanks to the achievements of modern medicine, it is possible to significantly improve the quality of life of people living with HIV. Unfortunately, there are no drugs completely cure for HIV, but existing drugs can slow down the development of the disease. Today in Belarus, treatment is available to all those in need.
A person living with HIV has the same rights and opportunities as any other person and it is for him to decide whether to try to seriously change something in his life or, conversely, to leave everything unchanged and live on. The main thing is to try to understand your own feelings and understand what is really important in this life.
Life is an opportunity, use it
Life is a dream, realize it
Life is a challenge, accept it
Life is a duty, fulfill it
Life is a game, play it in it
Life is a secret, know it
Life is a chance, use it
Life is so beautiful, do not destroy it
Life is life, fight for it!
Mother Teresa's manifesto
HIV/AIDS Prevention Department GU RTsGeoz
