Join a support group
A support group can give emotional, spiritual, social, health and financial support.
People recently diagnosed with HIV experience a variety of emotions from rejection, fear, denial, anger, sadness. They may become frightened, depressed, angry, worried and or isolated. Their partners, loved ones and care givers can also be confronted with a kaleidoscope of emotions from despair, helplessness, grief and sorrow.
Support groups can benefit persons with HIV by providing spiritual and emotional support. They offer a safe, informal and relaxed environment to share experiences and build new friendships. They give care givers and persons with HIV renewed faith and confidence in the face of devastating losses. There also additional information benefits about treatment, coping skills, women’s health issues, safe sex, sleeping and relaxation, hygiene, communication skills, nutrition, lifestyle, exercise, living positively day to day and legal issues. Some support groups can also offer home based care and access to nutritional supplements as well as income generating skills.
People who participate in support group have less depression, improved coping skills, a happier emotional well-being, a better quality of life, enhanced emotion-regulation strategies, improved adherence to medication and ARVs and hope! And there is more….participants choose healthier lifestyles which include abstinence from drugs, alcohol, and risky behaviours like unprotected sex.
Undoubtedly, there are many positives to support groups. However, there are also some drawbacks or concerns such as confidentiality, worsening depression when the group discusses illness, witnessing the decline of fellow members or members leaving, bad group dynamics and lest I forget, disruptive members!
Its not only people with HIV that can be assisted by support groups, persons who are HIV negative also need support. Survivor syndrome affects people who have lost family and friends to Aids. They can experience guilt and depression that can lead to self destructive behaviours such as suicide attempts and unsafe sex. Support groups can assist by helping people stay negative and providing comfort during loss.
Find a group that suits you, don’t make your mind up at the first meeting—developing relationships with members takes time just the same way processing living with HIV also takes time. A group does not have to be formal; it could be as simple as employees at work meeting during a Friday lunchtime or a church prayer group or a social sports team.
