The Psychological Impact of HIV/AIDS:People are more than statisticsResearch Team:Cathleen Bezuidenhoudt (University of Namibia)Hermien Elago (Polytechnic of Namibia)Evelina Kalenga (University of Namibia)Salome Klazen (Polytechnic University)Kadiva Nghipondoka (University of Namibia)Prof. Diane Ashton, Facilitator (University of Namibia)IntroductionHIV/AIDS is a topic that has been greatly discussed and researched due to its’ impact on humanbeings. Ever since the HIV/AIDS virus was identified, people have been trying to find ways of educatingothers about this virus. Many campaigns have been put into place, and people have been made aware of thevarious effects of the virus. We must remember that this virus has not only physiological effects, but alsomajor psychological effects. This paper will focus on the psychological effects of the HIV/AIDS virus onpeople living with HIV/AIDS and their caregivers. Those living with HIV/AIDS will be referred to as infect-ed, while the personal caregivers and family members will be referred to as affected. We define psychologicaleffects as those thoughts, feelings, emotions that affect the mental state and well-being of the infected andaffected persons.In the general HIV/AIDS research, statistics are used to present findings. Statistics do not actuallyexplain critical matters of concern such as the psychological manifestations of HIV/AIDS. This is of concernbecause the research done then becomes a matter of statistics and the other personal issues that are importantare not thoroughly discussed. It is in this light that the objective of this paper is to emphasize the impor-tance of awareness of the psychological effects of HIV/AIDS, such as: fear, loss, grief, guilt, denial, anger,anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, suicidal behavior and thinking, and socio-economic issues.“The psychological or internal challenges a person with HIV/AIDS faces vary from individual toindividual. Not everyone will experience all of the emotional responses or stages of the emotional responsesdescribed. Each HIV/AIDS situation is as unique as the people involved. There are individuals who mightface catastrophic changes not only in their personal and job relationships, but in their physical bodies and intheir self-images and self-esteem.” (Watstein and Chandler, 1998). As a result of these changes in both work-ing and personal relationships, the behavior of those infected may change. They may become withdrawn,aggressive, and rude to colleagues and friends. This may be because the infected person may feel (or imag-ine) being victimized. Infected, and in some cases, affected, people can experience a decrease in self-esteemas they are no longer confident in themselves or what they can achieve. This is likely caused by the stigmawithin society against infected and affected people. They are seen as lesser persons and are at times devalued.This in itself is of course detrimental to the person’s well-being. Coping with being infected involves con-fronting fear and denial while maintaining hope.Infected persons are normally in fear because they have to adjust to a new lifestyle. It is not easy toaccept that one is infected and thus shock and disbelief, leading to denial, is a frequent initial response.According to Watstein and Chandler (1998) there are emotional responses that are symptoms of the psycho-▲▲▲18FUTURE LEADERS SUMMITlogical effects that people have when infected or affected with HIV/AIDS. Infected persons may be con-fronted with having to reexamine their sexual identity and the behavioral choices they have made in supportof that identity. When one associates HIV/AIDS with what society has traditionally considered immoral, theinfected person then has to work through his/her feelings in order for his/her sexual identity to be reaffirmedin a way that will allow for feeling good about oneself. Persons with HIV/AIDS may be caused to see themselves as undesirable by others who view them as“contagious”. This in itself is an emotional situation that can cause infected people to withdraw, not disclosetheir feelings, and become socially isolated. Inevitably this may lead to an emotional breakdown becausethese feelings continue to be suppressed. The most destructive stressor is that of feeling isolated. This isola-tion can have many causes, including the loss of support by lovers, family, and friends. Additional feelings ofisolation may result from the need to change their sexual practices and take more precautions to protectthemselves and others.Watstein and Chandler continue to explain that another destructive stressor is that of feelingdependent. The dependency occurs when the infected person must rely heavily on family and friends foremotional and financial support, particularly when they have to apply for social services assistance.Furthermore, within Namibia an infected person is not granted an opportunity to gain access to life insur-ance policies. This also can be very frustrating and demoralizing. The final aspect of dependence is the fearof a protracted illness that will drain the family and friends both financially and emotionally. In rural areas, HIV/AIDS also causes labour shortages for farm and domestic work by reducing thehousehold’s workforce. Much livestock is lost when families are destroyed by HIV/AIDS because theremaining family members may not know how to care for the livestock, or plant and produce crops and fod-der. Additionally, in some of the more traditional cultures, livestock is taken away from the wife and chil-dren when the husband/father dies. Thus, a cycle of hunger, desperation, and poverty begins as a result ofthis disease.Psychological Impact on Affected Children (OVC)HIV/AIDS has no age-appropriateness and not even children are spared. In the Namibian context,an orphan is a child who has lost one or both parents or guardians to HIV/AIDS before reaching the age of18, and who remains dependent (Sr. Mallmann, Catholic Aids Action, 2002). In Namibia, the NationalCensus of 2001 revealed that there were 156,165 orphans between the ages of 0-9 years, and it is estimatedthat by 2021 this figure will almost double. There are a number of psychological impacts affecting children of HIV/AIDS parents. A parentwho is HIV infected may show less interest in the child due to the dramatic mood swings associated with thepressure of being infected. The child usually does not know what the problem