What Obstacles does HIV Infection

pose to Finding, Accepting, Keeping

and Giving Love?Charlotte Chagoya ,

RN, PG PsychNr, Dip Fam Ther.

cchagoya©October,2014

Mount Sinai HospitalDepartment of PsychiatryClinic for HIV Related Concerns 1987-Individual, Couple, Family and Group TherapyCouples where both are HIV+Couples where one is HIV+HIV- couples, worried about infectionFamilies with one adult member HIV+,Families with parent and child HIV+Collaboration with hospitals, agencies, and practitioners Research

Before 1996: Impending death. After 1996: “Transitional” couples

Living with HIV Medication side-effects

Premature aging Substance abuse Psychiatric Illness

From 2013 to 2014: 4452 visits (approx. 440 / month)

Main Problems Related to the HIV Infection

TYPES OF THERAPY:

- Psychodynamic- CBT (Cognitive-Behavior Therapy)- IPT (Inter-Personal Therapy)- Narrative Group Therapy- Meditation Group Therapy- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for Trauma- Psycho-education

Patients received:--- Individual Therapy--- Couple Therapy--- Family Therapy--- Group Therapies--- Psychiatric Medication Clinic

Many patients receive combinationsof the above.

Beliefs We Assess in Couples and Families include:

Expectations re each stage in their life cycleSexuality norms,Religious, moral and ethical standardsMeaning of the HIV infection Implicit Taboos,Prejudices Re: Socio-economic position &Misconceptions Re: Physical symptoms

All these beliefs are related to the culture in which the patients grew up.

BELIEF: An acceptance that a statementIs true or something exits.

MYTH: An idea or story, believed bymany people, but that is not true.

STIGMA:A set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a group ofpeople have about something.

PREJUDICE:Pre-conceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.

“I CAN NOT GET, ACCEPT, KEEP OR GIVE LOVE…-IF I AM HIV+ OR HAVE AIDS-IF I CARE FOR SOMEONE WHO IS HIV+ OR WITH AIDS-IF I TELL I AM HIV+ TO

POTENTIAL LOVERSPARTNERS OR SPOUSESCHILDREN

Common Beliefs of HIV + Patients

Thank You.

October 2014.Oshawa,