HIV and Life: Getting the Right balance

Transcription

1 HIV and Life: Getting the Right balance Information about support for people with HIV

2 Introduction Living with a lifelong condition like HIV can be difficult. At times, people can feel overwhelmed when thinking about what it means to have HIV on top of the demands of trying to look after themselves and the demands of life in general. To make things more complicated, people with HIV are often trying to change the way they have lived their lives for a long time, such as taking medications and other lifestyle changes. That s not easy for anyone. The Psychology Service provides relatively short-term assistance for people who are struggling with one or more aspects of living with HIV. The Service is problem-focused which means that we are interested in how things are for you right now, and in helping you find ways to make your life better. What kinds of problems do we help with? In general, we try to help people who are struggling to look after their HIV. So, we are interested in helping people deal with whatever is getting in the way of this. The sorts of things that can get in the way of people looking after themselves might be to do with the diagnosis of HIV itself, or they might be to do with other important aspects of life such as partners, family, friends, work and so on.

3 Typically, people who are struggling might notice they are: trying hard not to think about HIV. struggling to change the way they live their life, such as taking medications. worrying about how people will react or who to tell. feeling generally low and sad. being frequently worried about the future and imagining things turning out for the worst. finding making decisions difficult. feeling generally more irritated. finding it difficult to stop doing things that put their health at risk, like struggling to have safer sex. not being so keen to see friends and go out. feeling that they can t cope, or are angry and frustrated about having HIV. What should I do if I would like to be seen? Just nhsg.healthpsy@nhs.net or call Shona on to arrange a time to meet up for an initial appointment with Kirsty MacLennan. All appointments are offered in the Aberdeen Community Health and Care Village, 50 Frederick Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5HY.

4 How long will the first appointment last? Usually about 50 minutes. At the end of this time, we will agree whether it is a good idea for you to come back or not. It might not be best for you, for example, because another service in Grampian better suits your needs. Other options for support/ information Terence Higgins Trust Online Counselling This is an resource where you can chat confidentially with a counsellor to explore topics such as your diagnosis, your emotional wellbeing, your sex life, your relationships and other difficulties. Online-counselling Waverley Care Waverley Care offer a range of support groups, befriending, counselling and other services. Telephone: info@waverleycare.org Living Life to the Full Free, online life skills course Website: NHS Living Life Free, confidential telephone counselling service based on a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approach. Telephone:

5 Life Plus App for iphone This app can help support you to more effectively self-manage your condition. For example, it sends discreet, free reminders for your meds, records secure and private notes on the move, links to key information and support resources as well as access to community forums. MediSafe Meds and Pills Reminder App A pill reminder and medication management app. Be Mindful An online mind-body approach that helps people to manage their thoughts and feelings.

6 We could only fit a brief overview of the service on this leaflet. If you ve any questions, would like more information or wish to make an appointment, please contact: Kirsty MacLennan, Clinical Psychologist, at nhsg.healthpsy@nhs.net or contact Shona - Administrator This publication is also available in large print and on computer disk. Other formats and languages can be supplied on request. Please call Health Information Resources Service on or grampian.resources@nhs.net Ask for publication CGD February 2016