Facing the DarknessContent Note: This article describes suicidal thoughts. If you or a loved one are struggling, consider reading our mental health resources page. Living with major depressive disorder is exhausting in...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
FeaturedHow do you combat misinformed people? From "An Unfunny Laugh" - https://h-i-v.net/?p=3026 I cannot tell you how many times I have seen HIV be used as a punch line, even with different crowds. It leaves me...Reactions0reactionsComments6 replies
Protecting Myself from Communicable IllnessesLiving with HIV has taught me just how necessary it is to protect myself from communicable illnesses. While my immune system is recovering from where it was during my diagnosis...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Do you have any tips and tricks for protecting yourself from communicable illnesses?Living with HIV has taught me just how necessary it is to protect myself from communicable illnesses. While my immune system is recovering from where it was during my diagnosis...Reactions0reactionsComments0 repliesSide EffectsSymptomsTreatment
What I Learned From My Electroencephalogram (EEG)When it comes to medical issues connecting the dots can be complicated. Sometimes it takes new doctors with new tests to start making the connections. When I started seeing a...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Disability Denial: Acceptance and Next StepsIn 2017, I went on social security disability. At the time, I thought my disability was approved due to all my health issues. I would later find out that my...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
From Struggle to Strength: Rediscovering LoveAs my boyfriend moved around the apartment, one of our dogs became overly excited. The next thing I know, his laptop hits the floor - hard. I flinch back and...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
My Cruising Vacation ExperienceI recently returned from my very first cruise. I was super nervous to go for various reasons. These reasons ranged from being stuck on a ship for 6 days to...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
My Medical Care Journey: Transitioning from Negative to Positive CareReceiving an HIV diagnosis can easily knock you off your feet and stun you. This happened to me. Once the initial impact wore off, I realized that I had settled...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Sleep, Insomnia, and Chronic ConditionsSighing with frustration, I roll over on my back and stretch. I have been laying in bed, trying to fall asleep, for a long time at this point. Looking around...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Latent Diagnosis: Living UndiagnosedWithout the proper testing, some cases of HIV can persist for years without obvious signs of infection. I remember waking up in the ICU with an intubation tube down my...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
Safety Issues, Mental Health, and HIV DiagnosisOur various personal beliefs, in this case about safety issues, affect our mental health. These beliefs are relative to ourselves and to other people or groups. All these beliefs can...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
HIV, Depression, and Household ManagementExhaustion. Lack of motivation. Blah! It is only noon, yet I feel like today has gone on forever. There is so much that needs to be done around my house...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
To Drink or Not to DrinkOne drink, 2 drinks. A whiskey drink or an Amaretto drink. As I look back over the last year and a realization hits me. I have only consumed alcohol on...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Vacation DrainVacation fun or shall we say vacation stress. I have always been a homebody. When I was diagnosed with HIV, I became even more of a homebody in all honesty...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
My Experience With Food InsecurityFood. Love it or hate it, we must have it. My relationship with food has almost always been a complicated one. When I was growing up, my mother struggled to...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
My Mental Health JourneyReceiving a positive HIV diagnosis was among the reasons I sought treatment for my mental health. I have previously shared my diagnosis story, and it was rough. Not only did...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Disability Hearing PreparationsStress is not good for our health, and I have been living in a state of stress. My re-evaluation for my disability is coming up. I am beyond nervous but...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and HIVContent Note: This article describes abuse. If you or a loved one are struggling, consider reading our mental health resources page. Intimate partner violence, referred to as IPV, has been...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
HIV and Seeking Treatment for My Mental HealthOver the years since my diagnosis, I have learned to closely guard my mental health. Learning to discuss my mental health with healthcare providers has been very important. I have...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments