The initial shock, disbelief, and fear of an HIV diagnosis can make those first days almost unbearable. Kozby Kritzer, author of the book HIV and Me provides us with 10 tips for people newly diagnosed with HIV that will help get through those difficult first days.
1. Begin to heal...take ownership.
To begin healing after the shock of hearing your diagnosis, first acknowledge your fears and feelings about having HIV, and then take ownership of them.2. Live in the present.
Instead of reliving the past or imagining a grim future for yourself, keep your mind focused on the present as that is where your healing happens.3. Make your own future.
Forget other people's stories with HIV/AIDS and make it your own experience, as what you do each day creates your own future.4. Stop and take a deep breath.
Whenever you feel stressed, filled with anxiety or just plain overwhelmed, stop and focus on your breathing to clear your mind and give it and your body a moment's peace.5. Educate yourself...but take your time.
Control the flow of information that you absorb about HIV/AIDS to prevent your mind from either overloading or from slipping into complete denial about your diagnosis.6. Take control of your medical care.
Regardless of your current health status, never forget that you are in complete control of your medical treatment and have the right to change it at any time.7. Assemble a support network and use it.
Use your support network of family, friends and/or counselors to remind yourself that you are not in this alone, and that there are people ready and eager to provide the comfort and compassion that you need right now.8. Build a strong foundation for the future.
Once you are feeling more centered, work to build a strong foundation for your future including making lifestyle changes and utilizing community resources available to support your healing and long term health.9. With a strong foundation, you can manage your HIV.
After your foundation is in place, spend some time managing how HIV affects your daily life both in social situations and in respect to financial and legal matters.10. Achieve a balance in your life.
Finally, to complete your journey towards a place of peace with HIV, strive to balance your mind, body and spirit, using activities like exploring your spirituality, doing volunteer work or experiencing holistic therapy if needed.What do you think?
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