MARAMBIRE EDSON TAWANDA

International Institute For Capacity Development Trust

Diploma In HIV Counseling, Care And Prevention

SECOND BLOCK ASSIGNMENT

SECTION B

Discuss the possible psychological effects of HIV and AIDS on a couple that has HIV discordant results

June 2011

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HIV discordant couples are those in which one of the couples has HIV negative and the other has HIV positive. Such couples definitely suffer from psychological effects which may range from mild to severe.

Psychological effects are those thoughts, feelings and emotions that affect the mental well being of the affected and infected persons. The one living with HIV/AIDS is referred to as the infected while the partner who is HIV negative is referred to as the affected. The following is a list of the most common psychological effects faced by a couple that has HIV discordant results.

When a wife or husband tested HIV positive will need to develop new coping patterns and this may trigger a variety of reactions from others such as family members, partner, employees, co-workers, counselors and other helping professionals.

• Fear

• Loss

• Grief

• Guilt

• Denial

• Anger

• Anxiety

• Low self esteem

• Depression

• Suicidal behavior

• Feelings of isolation

The psychological effects vary from individual to individual and not everyone experience all the emotional responses because HIV/AIDS situation is as unique as the people involved. There is usually change in behavior in both the affected and infected persons and therefore resulting in changes in personal relationships. HIV/AIDS epidemic is centralized around the sphere of interpersonal relationships in which it causes stigma, separation, and debilitation destroys