Empowering Yourself While Living with HIV
Living with HIV comes with unique challenges and strengths. What strategies or habits have you found most helpful in maintaining your physical and emotional well-being
Hi
. Yes, there certainly are unique challenges to living with HIV. Our contributor Khafre wrote here about mental well-being: https://h-i-v.net/living/mental-health-conditions. Zora wrote here about the importance of support groups (https://h-i-v.net/living/teen-support-group), while Steven wrote on the importance of an annual physical (https://h-i-v.net/living/importance-annual-physical). I also want to share this article from our editorial team on the power of laughter: https://h-i-v.net/living/laughter-health. Hope you find this interesting and that others chime in with their thoughts. Best, Richard (Team Member) Staying involved with the local HIV agencies and support groups. I'm soon to be 65 years old, it's easy for older gay men to become isolated, even HIV- men. I've learned to stay engaged socially to help with isolation. Mid-sized city, we have an independent HIV/AIDS organization besides the local health district. There are support groups and monthly potlucks available. We also have a LGTB+ social senior group who gather monthly for a potluck, 2 or 3 times a month out to restaurants for a meal and a weekly Zoom group gathering. When I pulled back too far from the community in the past, I noticed my depression levels increasing as well as isolation issues. I've been HIV+ since 1987, so I've gone through cycles of community involvement.
Hi
. Thanks for sharing what helps you stay connected. As you note, isolation has a way of sneaking up on people. Our contributor Robert, also a long-term survivor, wrote about what he does to combat isolation and loneliness here: https://h-i-v.net/living/loneliness-is-a-killer. I also recall that you have been fighting to get disability. Has there been any progress? Wishing you the best. Richard (Team Member)
