One of the most difficult things you will ever have to do is tell someone you’re HIV Positive. Disclosing that you’re HIV positive is difficult but sometimes necessary. Being HIV Positive alone is very difficult. Having emotional support from friends and relatives helps but at some point when you decide to try dating again, you will need to tell someone you are HIV positive. This “Mini-How-To” will help making HIV disclosure as stress-free as possible.
- Know why you are telling the people you are telling. Is it for relationship purposes?
- Expect their reaction. Expect the worst, hope for the best, and decide what’s the worst you will have to deal with?
- Learn as much as you can(factual), about HIV.
- Have printed materials and articles to give to the person to help educated them.
- Talk it over with someone you trust and come up with a plan of how you’re going to disclose and when.
- Regardless of their reaction accept it. You can’t control the feelings and fears of others.
- Once you have told them be patient and give them some time to think it over. It may take some time for those you tell to process the information.
Date someone first before telling them with NO kissing or sexual activities. This will allow you to get to know them better and help you decide if they are really someone you want to disclose to. Conversely it will let them have time to get to know you and get a little more attached to you, also creating a reason to NOT reject you.
We hope these tips help you in your Dating and Being HIV Positive. Life doesn’t end after diagnoses.
