Family Counseling for HIV/AIDS Patient

Abstract

　　In the process of psychotherapy on a case who suffered from aquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), we counseled one of his family members (his second daughter). She had been trying to defend her father from the prejudice against AIDS that was likely to occur in his neighborhood. We found that her fear depended upon her sorrow for the loss of her father (object-loss), and we explained how mourning work occurs during the loss of a family member. After she accepted our explanation, she got to see her father as a person who was dying of the illness which was to be free from social prejudice.

　　Since AIDS cases through sexual intercourse are increasing in Japan, many mental problems are likely to occur in the near future. We discussed mental processes of the couples in coping to AIDS, and concluded that the construction of the coping strategies to this illness is the most important. Divorce would occur, however, in some cases. Suppressed aggression to the partner works as its cause. The first step of marriage counseling must be oriented to dissolve it.

　　It was concluded that giving information on a patient's condition is important in order to reduce anxiety among his/her family members at the last stage of degenerative diseases such as AIDS.