The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is primarily a sexually transmitted disease. The majority of those infected in the First World are homosexual and bisexual men, and intravenous drug users. The study combined a literature review and a case example to explore psychosocial needs of homosexual AIDS patients with a view to presenting recommendations for mental health practitioners to help alleviate the psychosocial trauma of these patients and their significant others. The literature review focussed on the psychosocial experiences of homosexual AIDS patients; their losses, reactions of their significant others; their emotional reactions to medical treatment, and, psychosocial treatment issues and approaches. The case example was a twenty-nine- year old hospitalized homosexual male. Information was received from the patient's befriender, his lover and from the patient himself. The reactions and experiences of this patient were concomitant with many of those discussed in the literature review, namely: The patient suffered major losses: employment, income, house and household possessions as well as social status, with the primary psychosocial effect of loss of independence and control. The patient also experienced some isolation and rejection from some friends, family and hospital staff, and geographical isolation for a period of time from his lover and family. He displayed anger and denial - aspects of his personality which were evident prior to his diagnosis but exacerbated by his illness.
Karp, L. 1989. An exploratory study of the psychosocial needs of homosexual AIDS patients. University of Cape Town.