Common Challenges of Living with HIV/AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has changed in the past three decades. No longer is it considered a terminal condition. With appropriate antiviral medications, it is a livable, long-term health condition. Many HIV-positive people are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. However, emotional challenges continue to impact HIV-positive people’s lives.
HIV Stigmatization & Discrimination
Despite advances in treatment options, stigma and discrimination remain a part of living with HIV. Discrimination against HIIV-positive individuals can occur in many different forms, such as institutional or political stigmatization, in community and intrapersonal relationships, or self-stigmatization. Sexual orientation, race, sex, and class discrimination are particular concerns among marginalized people. Feelings of guilt, shame, and fear can be immobilizing.
Facing abandonment in relationships and harassment can cause emotional and psychological issues in people living with HIV. As a chronic infection, HIV can cause significant illness and death and changes in quality of life. Confronting real and anticipated losses, grief reactions, and coping with the uncertainty of illness over time are significant psychological burdens. HIV/AIDS brings additional challenges in dealing with stigma about how the disease was acquired and the possibility of fatality. Taking daily medication is a constant reminder of one’s HIV status, which can be depressing.
Having a safe person to talk to can help work through issues of living with HIV, be it a professional therapist, health professional, or a friend. This support system provides different care types and is a valuable part of a multi-disciplinary approach to managing chronic illness.
HIV Diagnosis Effects on an Individual’s Sense of Self
When someone first learns of their diagnosis as an HIV-positive person, they begin to integrate that diagnosis into their understanding of themselves, their view of the future, and the effects this may have on their work and relationships. This may involve rethinking priorities, goals, and life plans, such as having children. It is normal to feel shocked, disbelief, anger, grief, panic, fear, guilt, and shame. Feelings of despair, hopelessness, or feeling emotionally numb are also common. Social support and professional therapy are valuable in helping people process their initial emotions on learning of their diagnosis and beginning to cope with the changes it presents in their lives.
Secondly, are the psychological distress people feel when encountered with consequences of living with HIV, such as economic job loss or being turned out of a home, rejection by family or partners or community, and the threat or experience of violence. Finding a social worker or health care provider who can assist with navigating the social supports in a community is helpful.
HIV Exacerbation of Existing Physical & Mental Health Issues
For some people with HIV, previous health conditions can be exacerbated, such as mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, and substance abuse/use problems. The correlation between psychiatric disorders and poor quality of life, higher occurrence of depression, sexual risk-taking behavior, disease progression, higher mortality rates is high, especially in HIV-positive women.
The decision to disclose HIV status to family members is fraught with anxiety over potential reaction and conflict. Roles in family relationships often change when someone is HIV positive, particularly concerning caregiving and providing emotional support.
Often, HIV-positive people have other medical conditions related to HIV or are entirely unrelated. Pre-existing conditions can also increase the risk of acquiring HIV or complicate HIV treatment. These conditions are mental health issues, alcohol use, and drug use. These conditions can make it more difficult for people to take antiviral medication every day. The risk of acquiring HIV is higher among people with mental health issues like depression and anxiety and those with a physical and sexual abuse history. The psychological effects of bullying often lead people to poor decision-making, which puts them at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections.
Many people who are infected with HIV live in impoverished communities, are less educated and face significant socioeconomic challenges, such as unemployment, homelessness, lack of effective health insurance, and incarceration. The intersection of poverty, gender, race, and sex relate in that many women have to weigh their risk of acquiring an infection like HIV with other effects associated with poverty like loss of income, shelter, the ability to clothe and house their children provide safety. They may have little choice but to engage in potentially risky sexual behavior to meet these daily needs for their families. Personal history of stress, violence, and trauma often contribute to poor ability to cope with the multiple challenges of living with HIV, such as taking antiviral medication as prescribed, keeping health care appointments, arranging transportation and childcare, etc.
Hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and opportunistic infections like yeast/thrush are common. When the CD4 count falls below 200, the body is weaker and more susceptible to opportunistic infections. Taking care of yourself emotionally, eating a well-balanced diet, getting exercise, and stopping smoking and drug use all play a part in living a healthy life with HIV.
HIV Effects on Sexuality
When someone is first diagnosed, interest in sexual activity usually declines as the person learns how to live with HIV. With medical management with antiviral medicine, most people can resume a healthy sex life. Deciding when to disclose HIV status to a potential sexual partner can cause fear of rejection but is imperative before becoming sexually intimate with a new partner. In the article, Enjoying Romance and Sex while Living with HIV/AIDS, I discuss the many ways to decrease the risk of transmission to a seronegative partner or partner with the same antibodies as a seropositive partner. There are many ways to achieve pregnancy that minimize the risk of transmission to a partner or fetus.
HIV-infected people face many challenges such as economic and financial burdens, changes in psychosocial relationships, and personal emotions felt when coping with a chronic illness. Resilience and hope are fostered by developing a strong social support team of friends, family, and community members. Planning to stay healthy may include taking medications as prescribed, eating a healthy diet and taking time for regular exercise, choosing not to smoke, and learning how to keep yourself safer in sexual relationships. Living with HIV does not need to cause fear and hopelessness. HIV-positive people can live long, satisfying and healthy lives.
December is HIV and AIDs Awareness Month, and a significant part of Lala's Bedtime Tales mission is to provide a safe space and judgment-free zone to educate yourself on sexual health & wellness. The Sexual Health & Wellness corner will have monthly articles dedicated to endless education on how to live a positive and sexually healthy lifestyle. Subscribe to Lala's Bedtime Tales Newsletter and follow @LalasBedtimeTales on social media to never miss any sexual education to help you live the healthiest life possible. Also, check out the Lala's Bedtime Tales Podcast and Lala's Oh So Exclusive Patreon account for even more content! If you’re browsing for sexy pleasure products or cute giftable items, then check out Lala’s Pleasure Shop.
Lala's Bedtime Tales Disclaimer
The content displayed on this website is the intellectual property of Lala's Bedtime Tales "The Creator." You may not reuse, republish, or reprint such content without our written consent.
The subject matter on Lala's Bedtime Tales is provided by licensed medical providers and from reputable sources but is meant for educational and informative purposes only. It is not meant to be used for self-diagnosing or self-treatment of any health-related conditions. While the information has been peer-reviewed by a licensed healthcare provider for accuracy, we cannot guarantee any inaccuracies as healthcare is rapidly evolving. This information should not be used to substitute in-person professional medical advice. The Creator is not responsible or liable for any damages, loss, injury, or any negative outcomes suffered as a result of personal reliance on the information contained on this website. The Creator also makes no guaranteed positive outcomes. Information is also subject to change as needed without notice, and "The Creator" reserves the right to do so.
Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any healthcare decisions and ask about guidance for specific health conditions. Please do not disregard the advice of your healthcare provider or delay seeking care for health care conditions.
