Gilada IS, Bhimani GV, Shah B, Thakur V; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1989 Jun 4-9; 5: 740 (abstract no. T.D.P.84).
Indian Health Organization, J.J. Hospital, Bombay, India
AIDS PHOBIA; A state of intense anxiety, crystalized around an obsessional idea of suffering from AIDS, which is precipitated by an actual sexually transmitted disease or an illicit sexual contact and which may lead to a gradual deterioration of the personality. It may or may not be relieved through reassurance, insight and information. This study presents analysis of about 88 cases of AIDS phobia managed by the authors comprising a venereologist and 3 psychiatrists. During the initial stage of it's spread, AIDS has created generalized anxiety in the population, mainly due to its' difficult clinical management and final outcome. From an initial linking to sexual intercourse, the authors have observed that over a period of time, the cases started associating it with history of any possible mode of spread, stretching it further to any possible mode of spread with minimum risk and also to any illness state that somehow resembles the earlier symptoms of AIDS. The present study also highlights the issues of Public Education of AIDS. Preliminary contact with the physician, ordering of diagnostic tests for AIDS, and myths and misconceptions shrouding the dreaded disease and patient education.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Biomedical Research
- Demography
- Humans
- Phobic Disorders
- Population
- Research
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- education
Other ID:
UI: 102179799
From Meeting Abstracts