People Suffer from Despair Cause by Hiv

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people suffer from despair cause by hiv I. THE BASICS OF HIV MEDICINE 5. MEETING PSYCHOSOCIAL NEEDS OF HIV PATIENTS Iris WS CHAN, Rita WY CHUNG Twenty-five years into the AIDS epidemic, revolutionary improvement in medical treatment of HIV/AIDS has converted the once life-threatening terminal illness into a manageable chronic disease. This is witnessed in Hong Kong as much as it is in other developed countries. Medical advances have not only prolonged life of HIV-infected individuals, but have brought about drastic changes in the nature of concerns and issues among patients and their significant others. HIV/AIDS is often associated with a range of psychosocial sequelae that must be addressed throughout all stages of the infection. Psychological support is therefore critical for helping individuals, couples, and families affected by HIV to cope with their emotions and psychosocial needs. Research in Hong Kong had previously reported that physical health and social discrimination were the most "difficult aspects" of the life of HIV-infected individuals.1 In fact, HIV-infected individuals have to tackle a broad spectrum of challenges which vary with different stages and time points of the disease, many of which with a locally specific context. Awareness of theses unique psychosocial needs is crucial in effecting timely and appropriate interventions. Receiving the bad news - psychosocial impacts of an HIV diagnosis Newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients may have little knowledge or distorted picture about HIV disease. A commonly held belief, especially in the pre-HAART era, is that one would have to give up any plan for the future and live in ill health for the rest of the days to come. A strong belief that HIV infection is fatal and terminal may result in the loss of hope in life and living. There is an apparent need to clarify the myths and

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