Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
|
|
 |  |
 |
 |
Psychosocial issues concerning the patient, family, friends, and society
Apr 8, 1997
I was looking for information concerning the psychosocial issues of an AIDS sufferer, such as the one in the book, Borrowed Time: An AIDS Memoir. How do these psychosocial issues affect the victim's family, friends, and society?
|
 |
|
 |
|
Response from Rev. Pieters
The psychosocial issues described in Paul Monette's "Borrowed Time" are those of an upper middle class gay man with terminal AIDS in the mid-1980's. This is only one small slice of the pie. A great deal of progress has been made since then in our understanding and treatment of HIV/AIDS, which has changed many of the psychosocial issues. Many of the people living with HIV/AIDS today who are of the economic status of Monette and his lover are surviving long and well with combination treatments of antivirals and protease inhibitors. Even without these miracle drugs, the vast majority of persons living with HIV in the world still do not have access to, nor can they afford, the kind of care Roger received in "Borrowed Time"
One of the psychosocial issues still faced by persons living with HIV is being victimized by the disease. This happens when a person diagnosed with HIV has a passive, defeatist attitude. Many times, persons feel victimized because all those around them see them as victims. Part of the challenge of living with HIV then is to stop seeing ourselves as passive victims. This happens when a person with HIV takes charge of their lives, and does not allow society's or friends' attitudes affect them. This can happen when people living with HIV insist that they NOT be called "victims."
Ever since I was diagnosed in the early 1980's, I have rejected the label of "victim" AIDS has not victimized me yet. I will not allow myself to be a victim as long as I'm alive and fighting. Call me a "victim"of this disease after it has killed me.
For more information on psychosocial issues for persons living with HIV/AIDS, read periodicals such as "Poz," "A&U" and other resources which feature our personal stories. For more clinical reading, consult your local library or HIV/AIDS Information Line.
|
|
|
 Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
Copyright notice.
|
|
|
|
