Education and Awareness.
People are often haunted by traumas of the past whether it be mental, physical, emotional, sexual, or all of the above. Traumas, by nature are difficult to heal. Without adequate healing and recovery, traumas can fester and lead to further undesired consequences such as addictions, promiscuity, impulsive activities or dead-end, high-risk relationships. This puts people at a higher risk of contracting HIV.
People often do not associate mental instabilities in general, as a cause or culprit of contracting HIV. Yet many who have contracted HIV have documented traumatic experiences in their past as a common denominator. The need to escape from a dark reality directly correlates with high-risk behaviors, thus, higher risk for contracting HIV. The satiating need for love or to be loved, is all too often found in all the wrong places.
Trauma based mental health programs and other addiction recovery programs need to address the close correlation with patients as much higher and at-risk for HIV. Poor life choices are a risky symptom of inadequately coping with trauma.
I feel that if mental wellness and recovery, and all that it encumbers, are appropriately addressed, then we are one vitally important step closer to slowing the spread of HIV.
Currently, people who are diagnosed with HIV often find themselves depressed and overwhelmed. The stigma and discrimination that results from an HIV diagnosis, makes them feel as if the world does not want nor need them, rather wishes they die silently and out of sight. Depression and HIV directly contributes to an inability to seek positive support and help thus creating a downward spiral of more depression and worsening HIV health. Fear of rejection and fear of abandonment become paramount. This in turn, directly leads to even more destructive behaviors and can also lead to further spread of HIV.
HIV: Stop the Shame and Blame Game
Stigma hampers our ability to fight every aspect of this disease
Gary R. Blaylock | Tuesday, April 21, 2015 End HIV stigma now!
When people in general hear of HIV and AIDS, many things run through their minds: How did this person get HIV? What did they do wrong? Am I at risk just being around them? The stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS plays the biggest role in this, for it has always been cast as an evil illness or the person is doing something wrong to have gotten HIV. Since HIV and AIDS was first discovered, people living with it have been mistreated, persecuted and shunned by society and family, forcing them into hiding and isolation.
#There are many misunderstandings when it comes to HIV. People often believe it is a gay man’s disease or for people who use drugs. If it is a female, then she must be a sex worker. The worst, in my opinion, is that this is a punishment from God for not being holy. These things are not true. This is the stigma placed on people living with HIV. HIV does not discriminate; it touches everyone in some way. HIV is not a punishment from God. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system.
#Medical and social breakthroughs support the idea that stigma is not warranted, so why does it continue to plague people living with HIV? In my opinion, it is due to the fear of HIV and lack of education about the virus that keeps fueling the fires of hate and persecution. To ignore HIV does not make it go away; it just prolongs our inability to fight every aspect of this illness and its effects on our society.
#Inner stigma can be even more devastating than what we are subjected to by society, the way we treat ourselves or think of ourselves. We may go into isolation and hide from the world due to our own fears and our overwhelming feelings of worthlessness. Thinking we are at fault or we somehow deserve this leads to depression and sometimes thoughts of hurting ourselves. Combining inner stigma with the stigma from society lead many to hide their status.
#Every year there are 50,000 new cases of HIV diagnosed, and many of those cases do not fall into those “stereotypical groups.” We would be enraged if people diagnosed with cancer or diabetes were treated this way. Yet we find no fault with treating those living with HIV and AIDS in such a negative and horrific manner. Stop the stigma. Stop the pain.
Stigma hampers our ability to fight every aspect of this disease
Gary R. Blaylock | Tuesday, April 21, 2015 End HIV stigma now!
When people in general hear of HIV and AIDS, many things run through their minds: How did this person get HIV? What did they do wrong? Am I at risk just being around them? The stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS plays the biggest role in this, for it has always been cast as an evil illness or the person is doing something wrong to have gotten HIV. Since HIV and AIDS was first discovered, people living with it have been mistreated, persecuted and shunned by society and family, forcing them into hiding and isolation.
#There are many misunderstandings when it comes to HIV. People often believe it is a gay man’s disease or for people who use drugs. If it is a female, then she must be a sex worker. The worst, in my opinion, is that this is a punishment from God for not being holy. These things are not true. This is the stigma placed on people living with HIV. HIV does not discriminate; it touches everyone in some way. HIV is not a punishment from God. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system.
- Fact: HIV is a virus and can lead to the body being attacked by opportunistic infections. Left untreated, it could lead to death. A person with a simple cold is more dangerous to the person with HIV than the person living with HIV is to the cold sufferer.
- Fact: Someone living with HIV can live a normal life span. It is no longer an automatic death sentence. Proper nutrition and exercise, along with medication (if needed), will allow someone with HV to live a healthy, productive life.
- Fact: Touching, kissing, sharing a drink or food with someone who is living with HIV will not transmit the virus. HIV is not airborne, nor is it contracted through simple touching or hugging.
- Fact: There are 50,000 new cases of HIV every year in the U.S., and HIV has crossed every border and is in every country. HIV does not care about someone’s social or economic status, sexual orientation, race, age, drug use or religion. HIV can be transmitted to anyone who has at any time been in a situation that might have put him or her at risk.
#Medical and social breakthroughs support the idea that stigma is not warranted, so why does it continue to plague people living with HIV? In my opinion, it is due to the fear of HIV and lack of education about the virus that keeps fueling the fires of hate and persecution. To ignore HIV does not make it go away; it just prolongs our inability to fight every aspect of this illness and its effects on our society.
#Inner stigma can be even more devastating than what we are subjected to by society, the way we treat ourselves or think of ourselves. We may go into isolation and hide from the world due to our own fears and our overwhelming feelings of worthlessness. Thinking we are at fault or we somehow deserve this leads to depression and sometimes thoughts of hurting ourselves. Combining inner stigma with the stigma from society lead many to hide their status.
#Every year there are 50,000 new cases of HIV diagnosed, and many of those cases do not fall into those “stereotypical groups.” We would be enraged if people diagnosed with cancer or diabetes were treated this way. Yet we find no fault with treating those living with HIV and AIDS in such a negative and horrific manner. Stop the stigma. Stop the pain.
HIV and Mental Health.
People are often haunted by traumas of the past whether it be mental, physical, emotional, sexual, or all of the above. Traumas, by nature are difficult to heal. Without adequate healing and recovery, traumas can fester and lead to further undesired consequences such as addictions, promiscuity, impulsive activities or dead-end, high-risk relationships. This puts people at a higher risk of contracting HIV. People often do not associate mental instabilities in general, as a cause or culprit of contracting HIV. Yet many who have contracted HIV have documented traumatic experiences in their past as a common denominator. The need to escape from a dark reality directly correlates with high-risk behaviors, thus, higher risk for contracting HIV. The satiating need for love or to be loved, is all too often found in all the wrong places. Trauma based mental health programs and other addiction recovery programs need to address the close correlation with patients as much higher and at-risk for HIV. Poor life choices are a risky symptom of inadequately coping with trauma. I feel that if mental wellness and recovery, and all that it encumbers, are appropriately addressed, then we are one vitally important step closer to slowing the spread of HIV. Currently, people who are diagnosed with HIV often find themselves depressed and overwhelmed. The stigma and discrimination that results from an HIV diagnosis, makes them feel as if the world does not want nor need them, rather wishes they die silently and out of sight. Depression and HIV directly contributes to an inability to seek positive support and help thus creating a downward spiral of more depression and worsening HIV health. Fear of rejection and fear of abandonment become paramount. This in turn, directly leads to even more destructive behaviors and can also lead to further spread of HIV.
Depression, anxiety, fatigue and suicidal thoughts are all a part of mental health and in many cases a big part of having HIV. The stigma and self-stigma of HIV all contribute to the mental health issues of HIV.
Many people have triggers that increase their depression and ill thoughts and it can take years for people to get past these conditions. (Such as the smell of coffee, or the sight of a belt or strap.) In contrast with HIV the triggers or reminders are there on a daily bases (With taking of meds or dealing with the public in general.) Living with HIV is hard to do with being shunned and or disowned by friends or family, many find themselves turning to drugs or other at risk activities that can lead to the spreading of HIV to others and in the worse cases certain individuals purposely try and infect others with HIV out of anger or resentment.
One of the best ways to help those with HIV is to understand the stigma and self-stigma of HIV. Society in general still does not understand HIV nor does it want to understand. You will find that many people are highly under uneducated and or misinformed in regards to HIV.
When people in general hear of HIV and AIDS, many things run through their minds: How did this person get HIV? What did they do wrong? Am I at risk just being around them? The stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS plays the biggest role in this, for it has always been cast as an evil illness or the person is doing something wrong to have gotten HIV. Since HIV and AIDS was first discovered, people living with it have been mistreated, persecuted and shunned by society and family, forcing them into hiding and isolation.
#There are many misunderstandings when it comes to HIV. People often believe it is a gay man’s disease or for people who use drugs. If it is a female, then she must be a sex worker. The worst, in my opinion, is that this is a punishment from God for not being holy. These things are not true. This is the stigma placed on people living with HIV. HIV does not discriminate; it touches everyone in some way. HIV is not a punishment from God. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system.
#Medical and social breakthroughs support the idea that stigma is not warranted, so why does it continue to plague people living with HIV? In my opinion, it is due to the fear of HIV and lack of education about the virus that keeps fueling the fires of hate and persecution. To ignore HIV does not make it go away; it just prolongs our ability to fight every aspect of this illness and its effects on our society.
#Inner stigma can be even more devastating than what we are subjected to by society, the way we treat ourselves or think of ourselves. We may go into isolation and hide from the world due to our own fears and our overwhelming feelings of worthlessness. Thinking we are at fault or we somehow deserve this leads to depression and sometimes thoughts of hurting ourselves. Combining inner stigma with the stigma from society lead many to hide their status.
# Every year there are 50,000 new cases of HIV diagnosed, and many of those cases do not fall into those “stereotypical groups.” We would be enraged if people diagnosed with cancer or diabetes were treated this way. Yet we find no fault with treating those living with HIV and AIDS in such a negative and horrific manner. Stop the stigma. Stop the pain.
Assessing the mental strengths and weaknesses of someone with HIV is in my opinion crucial in developing a plan for treating them for their mental illnesses. We all know that many things come into play when dealing with mental illness. Working together we can come up with a plan for treating those with HIV. Identifying the underlying problems surrounding the illness ie physical issues as well as mental.
In eliminating as many of the variables that cause mental health we can easier establish a bases to work from to begin treatment and make everyday life more doable for the client.
People are often haunted by traumas of the past whether it be mental, physical, emotional, sexual, or all of the above. Traumas, by nature are difficult to heal. Without adequate healing and recovery, traumas can fester and lead to further undesired consequences such as addictions, promiscuity, impulsive activities or dead-end, high-risk relationships. This puts people at a higher risk of contracting HIV. People often do not associate mental instabilities in general, as a cause or culprit of contracting HIV. Yet many who have contracted HIV have documented traumatic experiences in their past as a common denominator. The need to escape from a dark reality directly correlates with high-risk behaviors, thus, higher risk for contracting HIV. The satiating need for love or to be loved, is all too often found in all the wrong places. Trauma based mental health programs and other addiction recovery programs need to address the close correlation with patients as much higher and at-risk for HIV. Poor life choices are a risky symptom of inadequately coping with trauma. I feel that if mental wellness and recovery, and all that it encumbers, are appropriately addressed, then we are one vitally important step closer to slowing the spread of HIV. Currently, people who are diagnosed with HIV often find themselves depressed and overwhelmed. The stigma and discrimination that results from an HIV diagnosis, makes them feel as if the world does not want nor need them, rather wishes they die silently and out of sight. Depression and HIV directly contributes to an inability to seek positive support and help thus creating a downward spiral of more depression and worsening HIV health. Fear of rejection and fear of abandonment become paramount. This in turn, directly leads to even more destructive behaviors and can also lead to further spread of HIV.
Depression, anxiety, fatigue and suicidal thoughts are all a part of mental health and in many cases a big part of having HIV. The stigma and self-stigma of HIV all contribute to the mental health issues of HIV.
Many people have triggers that increase their depression and ill thoughts and it can take years for people to get past these conditions. (Such as the smell of coffee, or the sight of a belt or strap.) In contrast with HIV the triggers or reminders are there on a daily bases (With taking of meds or dealing with the public in general.) Living with HIV is hard to do with being shunned and or disowned by friends or family, many find themselves turning to drugs or other at risk activities that can lead to the spreading of HIV to others and in the worse cases certain individuals purposely try and infect others with HIV out of anger or resentment.
One of the best ways to help those with HIV is to understand the stigma and self-stigma of HIV. Society in general still does not understand HIV nor does it want to understand. You will find that many people are highly under uneducated and or misinformed in regards to HIV.
When people in general hear of HIV and AIDS, many things run through their minds: How did this person get HIV? What did they do wrong? Am I at risk just being around them? The stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS plays the biggest role in this, for it has always been cast as an evil illness or the person is doing something wrong to have gotten HIV. Since HIV and AIDS was first discovered, people living with it have been mistreated, persecuted and shunned by society and family, forcing them into hiding and isolation.
#There are many misunderstandings when it comes to HIV. People often believe it is a gay man’s disease or for people who use drugs. If it is a female, then she must be a sex worker. The worst, in my opinion, is that this is a punishment from God for not being holy. These things are not true. This is the stigma placed on people living with HIV. HIV does not discriminate; it touches everyone in some way. HIV is not a punishment from God. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system.
- Fact: HIV is a virus and can lead to the body being attacked by opportunistic infections. Left untreated, it could lead to death. A person with a simple cold is more dangerous to the person with HIV than the person living with HIV is to the cold sufferer.
- Fact: Someone living with HIV can live a normal life span. It is no longer an automatic death sentence. Proper nutrition and exercise, along with medication (if needed), will allow someone with HV to live a healthy, productive life.
- Fact: Touching, kissing, sharing a drink or food with someone who is living with HIV will not transmit the virus. HIV is not airborne, nor is it contracted through simple touching or hugging.
- Fact: There are 50,000 new cases of HIV every year in the U.S., and HIV has crossed every border and is in every country. HIV does not care about someone’s social or economic status, sexual orientation, race, age, drug use or religion. HIV can be transmitted to anyone who has at any time been in a situation that might have put him or her at risk.
#Medical and social breakthroughs support the idea that stigma is not warranted, so why does it continue to plague people living with HIV? In my opinion, it is due to the fear of HIV and lack of education about the virus that keeps fueling the fires of hate and persecution. To ignore HIV does not make it go away; it just prolongs our ability to fight every aspect of this illness and its effects on our society.
#Inner stigma can be even more devastating than what we are subjected to by society, the way we treat ourselves or think of ourselves. We may go into isolation and hide from the world due to our own fears and our overwhelming feelings of worthlessness. Thinking we are at fault or we somehow deserve this leads to depression and sometimes thoughts of hurting ourselves. Combining inner stigma with the stigma from society lead many to hide their status.
# Every year there are 50,000 new cases of HIV diagnosed, and many of those cases do not fall into those “stereotypical groups.” We would be enraged if people diagnosed with cancer or diabetes were treated this way. Yet we find no fault with treating those living with HIV and AIDS in such a negative and horrific manner. Stop the stigma. Stop the pain.
Assessing the mental strengths and weaknesses of someone with HIV is in my opinion crucial in developing a plan for treating them for their mental illnesses. We all know that many things come into play when dealing with mental illness. Working together we can come up with a plan for treating those with HIV. Identifying the underlying problems surrounding the illness ie physical issues as well as mental.
In eliminating as many of the variables that cause mental health we can easier establish a bases to work from to begin treatment and make everyday life more doable for the client.