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HIV definitely creates mental issues. Is diagnosed at the age of 21 entering my second year of college on a full scholarship. Upon being diagnosed I dropped out of and started preparing for death. I lost most of my friends in the 90s and have spent the last 22+ years in a stagnant relationship with life. My very existence became my nemisis. Now at the age of 43 I find myself still alive, still waiting for death with no plans for a future. No savings, no retirement, still waiting for my death.
If you live with this long enough it'll get to you. (If not sooner!) Sadly, the longer things go the less availability of access to mental health professionals there is. If you are unlucky enough to have so little income as to qualify for Obama-Care it'll usually be months before you can even be seen for a evaluation, if at all. I live in a Ryan White funded area and there's only two service providers for several thousand individuals. With only one support group left and it's during the day...
My psychological state has changed since I was diagnosed in 1983. An MRI has shown HIV "related" lesions as diagnosed by my neurologist as has several friends who have been long term pox. My doc explained to me that many survivors have the same lesions in that Protease Inhibitors were the first class of drugs to cross the Blood Brain Barrier. We all have significant memory loss and states of confusion along with motor function problems. Please publish any information on this condition.
Christina D
I was 15 years old when diagnosed with HIV. I tried killing myself several times between the ages of 15-19 years old. When I had a child at 19 born HIV negative was when I realized LIFE goes on, even with HIV! I thought, at 15, it was a death sentence; but I realized that I was thinking wrong! I could have a semi normal life with HIV!!! Getting good healthcare provider, counseling, a support system & Faith in a power greater than myself; Keeps me emotionally, physically & Spiritually fit! csd
October 6, 2014 • Walla Walla