Finding Out that You Have HIV(Or Newly Dealing With It):

Emotional and Psychological Issues

A DiscussionFacilitated by

Michael Siever, Ph.D.for the PLUS Weekend Workshop

Possible Reactions to HIV Diagnosis • Shock• Numb• Shame• Guilt

• Embarrassment• Isolation• Grief• Anger• Blame

• Confusion

• Relief• Inevitability• Feeling a part of a

community• Normalizing

• Affirmation• Re-energizing• Sobriety• Re-prioritizing• Resolve

Which themes do you relate to? Which have you heard from others?

Which do you not relate to and/or have a strong reaction to?

Disclosure Issues

• To whom to disclose?

• Timing of disclosure?

• Expectations of disclosure? Yours? Others?

• The dos and don’ts of disclosure?

1) Parallels to coming out2) Disclosure dialogue as a “gift”

Social Support Issues • Social support can be described as feeling heard,

valued, understood, being a part of a group or community, receiving physical and emotional comfort, appreciated, validated, with patience and without judgment. What else?

• Social support, like exercise and food, should be tailored to your unique perspective/needs.

• What do you NOT want from social support?

• Anyone with a surprising or touching social support story?

Stress Management:A Brief Overview

• You have a) needs and b) resources to meet those needs. If they are “out of balance”, you have stress.

• You have external events and demands, and you have internal responses to them.

Related Factors• Everyone’s stress is different.

• Various perspectives and reflections on your issue help immensely in exploring your stress.

• Exercise, diet, sleep, social support and other health enhancing behaviors play a vital role in stress reduction.

• Relaxation, Mindfulness practices can be also immensely helpful.

• Be aware of what doesn’t work for you.

Strategies for Staying Healthy

• Social support• Creating/Reinforcing

balance• Know when to ask for

help • Self Care, tailored to

you• Exercise/nutrition

• Monitor stress management

• Participate actively in medical care

• Move ahead with life, goals, interests

• What holds you back?• What else is important

to you?