Weinel E; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1990 Jun 20-23; 6: 186 (abstract no. S.B.402).
Dept. of Psychotherapy/Psychosomatics; Center of Psychiatry, J.W. Goethe-University of Frankfurt a.M., Frankfurt a.M., Federal Republic of Germany
OBJECTIVE: Description of specific factors concerning indications and carrying-out of long-term psychotherapy of HIV-infected patients (21 homo- and bisexual men and 4 heterosexual non drug-addicted women). METHODS: Cause and timing of referring the patients to psychotherapeutic consultation, the patients' personality structure, their motivations and attitudes towards psychotherapy are descriptively analysed, based on psychodiagnostic interviews and analytical counselling of 25 HIV-patients. Ten of these patients have been in long-term psychotherapy (one hour session per week; maximum duration of therapy four years). RESULTS: Most people confronted with the HIV-positive diagnoses react in a traumatic sense but adjust to their diagnoses without developing too many psychosocial problems. Patients in this study were sent into psychotherapy because of permanent depressive reactions which had not been caused by cerebral complications of the infection. Their feelings of hopelessness, isolation and guilt were obvious. Evaluation shows that in these cases the traumatic reaction has remained. Their defense structure has been destabilized because underlying non specific HIV-traumatizations have been activated. CONCLUSION: Psychotherapy often is regarded by those patients as a means to cope with AIDS standing for their struggle to maintain hope. In these cases, from the therapist's point of view, not only supportive but also appropriate conflict-orientated methods are useful to reveal underlying neurotic personality traits and defense mechanisms which prevent the patient from coping with his disease.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adaptation, Psychological
- Counseling
- Disease Progression
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Learning
- Male
- Psychotherapy
Other ID:
UI: 102196209
From Meeting Abstracts