Depression and Isolation in Long Term Survivors

There has seldom been a more sympathetic moment for those living in isolation than the year 2020. At some point during the Covid-19 public health crisis, you might have experienced a twinge of depression or sadness from feeling disconnected from normal activity. Now imagine having this feeling over a long period of time while also undergoing severe health issues, underlying questions of mortality, and rejection due to social stigma. If that seems unfathomable, then let the 42% of HIV positive people living with this level of depression tell you otherwise. 

Isolation and depression are the most common neuro complications of HIV positive survivors. Severe depression is most common in long term survivors. This segment sees a higher level of adverse isolation effects and mortality guilt-or a feeling of questioning their own survival over that of a HIV peer. The feelings of guilt and questions of why they have survived over the mortality of their friends can be crippling and isolating. Depression has been proven to have adverse physical effects such as lowering immune support and changing inflammatory processes, as well as possible financial constraints. Unfortunately, these added stresses will continue to enhance the cycle of depression.

Older long term surviving males in the gay community are especially susceptible to depression because they have undergone huge life adjustments. They might have grown up in a society where they were unaccepted on a reoccurring basis. They lacked public health support and were rejected from many areas of social life. Humans are social animals. We thrive and depend on being able to connect and without judgment. With the lack of mental health resources and mental health stigma, older HIV positive patients have had to independently navigate their psyche. Support systems were not in place to meet basic needs.

Today it is encouraging to see that far more resources are becoming available. At PS…Test we want to be a strong and supportive service provider to long-term survivors. We are here to bridge the gap in services provided in the Palm Springs and Coachella Valley area.

Currently, we are investing in mobile van services so we can directly impact the older population who might not have a means of transportation. We hope this level of convenience will strengthen the barriers to community support that so many older HIV-positive patients have had to overcome.

We would love for you to join our supportive community. If you would like to be an agent of change in local public health, please support us by donating to our mobile services here.