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It is now widely accepted in medical circles that people being tested for Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV) should receive both pre-test and post-test counselling whatever the result and this practice is now becoming more widespread. Patients are usually offered one pre-test and, if HIV positive, two post-test counselling sessions but rarely more.
The patient who receives a positive test result experiences shock even when this result was anticipated. At that moment life changes from the expected normal sequence of life events into the prospect of living with the fear of dying for the next ten years or so. Shock leads into disbelief, denial, confusion, fear and acute anxiety, followed by loss of hope and the feeling of being out of control. An overwhelming experience with Sue, 21 years old, a patient whom I have seen regularly since she present, and expectation of the future, are all profoundly involved in the task of dealing with this situation. Diagnosis of HIV needs to be seen not as a diagnosis of terminal illness but rather as a prediction of a particular kind of life. It is in this context that the relevance of psychotherapy in the treatment of the whole person, psyche and soma, will be discussed.
In order to write about this subject realistically I will draw from my working experience with Sue, now 21-years-old, a patient whom I have seen regularly since she was tested positive for HIV three years ago.
A young heterosexual woman has been chosen deliberately because there is currently a need to highlight this group which is now increasing in number. HIV and AIDS affect women both as individuals and also within their roles as mothers, wives, health care providers, educators and income providers, within society and within the family. Over one third of all people known to be HIV infected are women, although the image of the young gay man still springs to mind when AIDS is mentioned. Attention will be drawn to: (1) the important role which bisexual people who act ou