Four tips for managing mental health after finding out you’re HIV positive
Confusion, anger, depression, and shock are normal emotions to experience following a positive HIV diagnosis. Your world may feel uprooted as this new diagnosis is a completely life-changing experience.
Embrace your feelings, let out your frustration, and stay strong! With support and treatment, you can live a long, healthy life.
HIV doesn’t define who you are.
Educate yourself on the facts.
There are many misconceptions surrounding HIV that can influence how you feel about your diagnosis. For example, if you fear your health will decline or you will die earlier, depression is likely to set in. Please know, HIV can be treated and with the right medications, you can live a fulfilling life.
Educating yourself on the facts and knowing treatment is available will empower you to find and stay in care.
Remember, the more you know about HIV, the more in control you can be of your health.
Build your support group.
Telling someone you’re living with HIV is difficult, but it is an important step to building your support system.
Talking with someone you trust relieves the loneliness of a positive HIV diagnosis. Ultimately, your doctor will work with you to create an HIV treatment plan, but family, friends, and your partner can make navigating the process easier. In the long run, your loved ones can encourage you to stick to an HIV care plan.
It’s okay if you’re not ready to share your status with the people closest to you. You can connect with other people who are also living with HIV who may better understand your experience.
Whether you choose face-to-face or online HIV support groups, finding community is
an empowering step. Knowing others have been in your shoes yet are now living comfortable and confident lives can break the pattern of catastrophic thinking. Connect with Take Control HIV and let us help you find the support you need.
Start HIV treatment.
Don’t put off seeking treatment. The earlier you get into care, the better.
Through the Take Control HIV community, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor who has experience with HIV care to discuss your treatment options. Within 72 hours, you will be connected to care.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has helped people living with HIV live longer, healthier lives. ART also reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to others. Your medical provider will help create the best treatment regimen for you. By continuing your treatment plan, you can eventually achieve an undetectable status, meaning you cannot transmit the virus.
If you’re stressed about paying for HIV treatment and medications, financial resources are available to help offset the cost.
Ask for extra help.
People living with HIV are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety due to HIV-related stigma, stress, and changes in relationships.
Maintaining a balanced diet and exercising can help relieve stress. Therapy is also a valuable tool for coping with negative emotions you may be feeling. Living with HIV is challenging, but you’re not alone. If you feel your diagnosis is taking a negative toll on your life, contact your provider immediately.
Connecting to care is easy. Fill out this form and access the services you need.
Vidokezo vinne vya kusimamia afya ya akili baada ya kugundua kwamba una virusi vya Ukimwi Mvurugo, hasira, mshuko wa moyo, na mshtuko ni hisia za kawaida za uzoefu baada ya utambuzi mzuri wa virusi vya Ukimwi. Huenda ikawa kwamba ulimwengu wako umeharibika kwa sababu utambuzi huo mpya umebadili maisha yako kabisa. Kubali hisia zako, toa tamaa yako, na uwe na nguvu! Kwa msaada na matibabu, unaweza kuishi maisha marefu na yenye afya. Ukimwi haujulikani ni nani wewe. Jifunze mambo ya hakika. Kuna maoni mengi yasiyo sahihi kuhusu virusi vya Ukimwi ambayo yanaweza kuathiri jinsi unavyohisi kuhusu utambuzi wako. Kwa mfano, ikiwa unaogopa kwamba afya yako itaharibika au kwamba utakufa mapema, huenda ukawa na mshuko wa moyo. "Tafadhali ujue, ""HIV inaweza kutibiwa na kwa dawa sahihi, unaweza kuishi maisha ya kuridhisha.""" Kujifunza juu ya ukweli na kujua matibabu yanapatikana itakupa nguvu ya kupata na kukaa katika huduma. Kumbuka, kadiri unavyojua zaidi kuhusu virusi vya Ukimwi, ndivyo unavyoweza kudhibiti afya yako. Kuunda kikundi chako cha msaada. Kumwambia mtu kwamba unaishi na UKIMWI ni vigumu, lakini ni hatua muhimu ya kujenga mfumo wako wa msaada. Kuzungumza na mtu unayemwamini kunapunguza upweke unaosababishwa na kuugua virusi vya Ukimwi. Kwa hivyo, daktari wako atafanya kazi na wewe kuunda mpango wa matibabu ya HIV, lakini familia, marafiki, na mwenzi wako wanaweza kufanya mchakato huo uwe rahisi. Kwa muda mrefu, watu unaowapenda wanaweza kukuhimiza ufuate mpango wa utunzaji wa UKIMWI. Ni sawa kama wewe si tayari kushiriki hali yako na watu wa karibu na wewe. Unaweza kuwasiliana na watu wengine ambao pia wanaishi na HIV ambao wanaweza kuelewa vizuri uzoefu wako. Ikiwa unachagua kikundi cha uso kwa uso au online, kupata jamii ni hatua ya kuimarisha. Kujua kwamba wengine wamekuwa katika hali yako lakini sasa wanaishi maisha ya starehe na ya kujiamini kunaweza kuvunja muundo wa kufikiri kwa msiba. Kujiunga na Take Control HIV na kutusaidia kupata msaada unahitaji. Anza matibabu ya HIV. Usiahirishe kutafuta matibabu. Kadiri unavyoanza mapema, ndivyo inavyokuwa bora. Kupitia jamii ya Take Control HIV, unaweza kupanga miadi na daktari ambaye ana uzoefu na huduma ya HIV kujadili chaguzi zako za matibabu. Katika muda wa masaa 72 utapata huduma ya afya. Matibabu ya antiretroviral (ART) yamewawezesha watu walio na virusi vya Ukimwi kuishi maisha marefu na yenye afya. Matibabu ya kuambukiza pia hupunguza hatari ya kuambukiza virusi kwa wengine. Mtoa huduma wako wa matibabu atasaidia kuunda utaratibu bora wa matibabu kwa ajili yenu. Kwa kuendelea na mpango wako wa matibabu, unaweza hatimaye kufikia hali ya kutoweza kugunduliwa, ikimaanisha huwezi kueneza virusi. Ikiwa una wasiwasi kuhusu kulipa matibabu ya UKIMWI na dawa, rasilimali za kifedha zinapatikana kusaidia kulipia gharama. Omba msaada wa ziada. Watu walio na virusi vya Ukimwi wana uwezekano mkubwa wa kuugua mshuko wa moyo na wasiwasi kutokana na stigma inayohusiana na virusi vya Ukimwi, mkazo, na mabadiliko katika mahusiano. Kufuata mlo wenye usawaziko na kufanya mazoezi ya mwili kunaweza kusaidia kupunguza mkazo. Tiba pia ni chombo chenye thamani cha kukabiliana na hisia zisizofaa unazoweza kuwa nazo. Kuishi na UKIMWI ni changamoto, lakini si wewe peke yako. Ikiwa unahisi kwamba ugonjwa wako unaathiri maisha yako, wasiliana na daktari wako mara moja. Kuunganisha kwa huduma ni rahisi. Jaza fomu hii na upate huduma unazohitaji.