How to handle the shame about having HIV?

HIV

What better way to share with the world and victims of the virus than on HIV dating sites? Over the years HIV positive dating sites have been developed to primarily accommodate people living with HIV and open a getaway to share openly without fear of discrimination or shame. Sites like positivesingles.com have been of great help to people with HIV as they create a sharing platform and a learning process where experts give advice and support to the users. 

People living with HIV will confess that it is hard today to find a partner, primarily when your status is known to them. People fail to acknowledge that others with HIV also want to feel love. They praise sites coming up to help them find one to love.

HIV does not define you

The first feeling on receiving a positive HIV test result is fright, dread, and shame. We fear what other people will think about us or if they will judge us or show aversion or hostility towards us. But we must understand that living with HIV doesn’t alter who we are. It is nothing to be ashamed of because we have not done anything wrong; it is our life and our body, and we are in charge of how we feel about it and deal with it.

 Talk about it.

Resort to therapy if you are not able to handle your emotions well. Accept that you need help. Seek a good counselor or therapist, or talk to your friends and loved ones about it. Share your fears with them. It is the fear and social stigma attached to HIV which makes it worse. You can live everyday life without affecting your relationships or day-to-day life.

Relax and surround yourself with people who support you

Indulge yourself in relaxing activities like dancing, meditation, gardening, painting, etc. Talk to people about your diagnosis, but carefully choose who you want to share this with. Make a support system for yourself. Turn to people you trust when you feel frightened.

You can live every day happy and long life with proper medical care. According to the latest surveys, it is seen that the chance of transmission of the virus from an infected person to an HIV-negative person is almost nil if given proper medical care. Many HIV-positive people have had successful relationships with their partners without virus transmission.

Community support for HIV

Revealing the date of your diagnosis can be a difficult task. But you are not alone. More than 1 million people in the US have HIV. You may feel secluded and isolated, but many communities offer unconditional support and love. This whole dating scenario can feel quite daunting. Forums and websites like its time to date again, PositiveSingles.com and Poz personals can help you meet people with similar or are open to dating people with acute health conditions.

Just remember that it is a manageable long-term condition. YOU WILL BE OKAY!