Please remember, this column is designed to help the consumer seeking behavioral-health information, and not intended to be any form of psychotherapy or a replacement for professional, individualized services. Opinions expressed in the column are those of the columnist and do not represent the position of other SelfhelpMagazine.com staff.

Question

I have been diagnosed HIV Positive. I am struggling with a sense of being completely at the mercy of an illness with no known cure. Can you help?

Answer

HIV does indeed have a great deal of power in your life and will continue to do so as we all pray for a cure. Your sense of powerlessness is understandable but, in extreme, can work against you. There is every reason to believe that attitude has an impact on the course of an illness. Further, there are other things you can be doing.

Read about current research. Try the use of mental imagery, even prayer. Concede as little as possible to the illness. Yes, it has power but so do you! What course of treatment have you decided upon? What kind of support do you need emotionally and what can you do to seek it out? Is your community enlightened as far as HIV is concerned and, if not, what kind of educational needs are there? Wherever you see an opportunity to have a possible impact on the course of your illness, take it. Yes, there is still no cure from HIV and AIDS but patients do seem to be living longer and with good quality to their lives. Keep in mind the Serenity Prayer:

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Claim power as often as you can.

03/15/98

Richard B. Patterson is a clinical psychologist in private practice in El Paso, TX. He is the author of three books on psychology and spirituality.