HIV sufferers to receive mental counseling_美文

HIV sufferers to receive mental counseling

"They are prone to developing twisted conceptions of themselves and others, and without timely and proper mental intervention might pose a challenge to social stability and security in later life," he said.

In response, Xiao said youngsters will be offered regular psychological consultations, face to face or by phone, and peer outreach and education sessions.

Last month, a man was pricked in the leg by a syringe left in the back of a Beijing taxi that was later found to contain HIV antibodies. Immediate preventive mediation managed to stop the infection, but there was speculation among the media and public over whether the incident was intentional.

Xiao said some AIDS patients with mental disorders have been found resorting to extreme behavior, such as suicide and intentionally spreading HIV.

Xiao said he led a survey in 2009 of 200 sufferers in Hubei, which found more than 85 percent of them said they struggled with various mental problems, including insomnia, anxiety and depression.

About 40 percent said they had received psychological treatment.

"The percentage might be higher than the national average, as they (the respondents) were largely infected through blood transfusions," the psychologist said.

He said people in this situation are more likely to develop serious mental problems and take revenge on society than those who contract the virus through sexual intercourse.