I Just Tested Poz / Re: Update - Just under a month since DX
« Last post by Jim Allen on Today at 02:17:13 am »It's the first weeks, and you are still digesting the diagnosis and only just started treatment. Give yourself time to head around things.
Regarding self-stigma, there are a lot of aspects, but after reading all of your posts, I think part of the issue for you is that you didn't consider HIV a concern in your little bubble that's now burst.
Walking around the city center I see beautiful girls and I think fuck me, how have I made myself less desirable by 99% to all of these girls. Sorry if this offends anyone who has come to terms to their status, I am still early days and the self-stigma is strong.
Yeah, so HIV doesn't make you less wanted by 99% and certainly its not the cause of 99% of women not wanting you.
You however definitely can make yourself less attractive or wanted. It so happens that this was a topic I was discussing two weeks ago with a group of PLHIV, anyhow, it's early days and plenty of other things to focus on for now.
HIV is cruel, because of the stigma.
Stigma, HIV is not to blame, leaving self-stigma out of it, people and society are to blame and they can be cruel.
Sex & Drugs. Society has major issues with these topics for various reasons and we have a long way to go. HIV mainly comes from Sex and to a lesser degree drugs, this is a major part of the underlying problem people have with HIV.
I have so far kept my DX a secret to EVERYONE, and maybe this will change one day, as the stigma is too much for me. Its hard enough dealing with it yourself never mind how truly devastated friends and family would be explaining it to them and having to reassure etc
You have so far kept your private medical information, private. It's not some terrible dark secret.
The majority of people don't share every medical detail/manageable condition they have with everyone or their family. They might share some things and not others and that's about it.
Also, I would urge people to wait, if possible, until they have their heads around it and to think before they share: Why are you sharing, What do you hope to gain?
Take it easy.