Early Cognitive Patterns and Feelings of Guilt in People Living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

The chronic disease is characterised by permanence, irreversibility and residual disability, Timmreck (1982). According to WHO (2005), these diseases are characterised by the extent of their impact on daily life not only for patients but also for those around them. Chronic disease disrupts everything in individuals, from their state of health to their quality of life, their friendships and family, their hobbies and their professional life. HIV/AIDS discovered in the United States in 1983 by Luc Montagnier has remained for long, one of the deadliest diseases in the history of diseases on the planet and has aroused great scientific interest at the medical and psychosocial level. Advances in medicine have led to the discovery of antiretroviral drugs which prevent the multiplication of viruses in cells. Several studies have been carried out on the factors involved in the experience of People Living with HIV (PLHIV). These include works [1] which have highlighted the feeling of guilt by highlighting stigma as its main determinant. They also showed that self-stigma was the major form of stigma. It is estimated in their study at 46% compared to stigma in interpersonal relationships evaluated at 40% and stigma in health services which is 11%. Dietiker (2013) argues that guilt in PLHIV results from moral judgment. This judgment then triggers various feelings such as shame, annoyance, anger, sadness or anxiety. Several laws have Research Article