Hollywood Actor Charlie Sheen's HIV disclosure reflects the Psychological Effects of Living with HIV
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| Actor Sheen tells the world he's HIV-positive after spending millions to keep it secret |
Shock, disbelief/denial, confusion, shame, anger, isolation,depression, anxiety, substance abuse and stigma/discrimination and suicide/suicidal attempt or thoughts are some of the psychological effects reported with PLWHA(People Living with HIV/AIDS).
The first step to achieving and maintaining a balanced well being for all is to know your HIV status by getting tested. Have you done so today? If not, the time to act is NOW!!!
50-year-old actor Charlie Sheen's announcement that he's been HIV positive for four years could help to clear up some public misconceptions and stigma, experts say.
Sheen said "It's a hard three letters to absorb. It's a turning point in one's life," he made the announcement to end a smear campaign and extortion efforts.
David Stempowski, who is with the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation, was diagnosed with HIV in 2011. It took him six months to tell those close to him. Stempowski said it must have been "hell" for Sheen trying to keep his status a secret. He respects Sheen for disclosing his status publicly now, given that his career was based on upholding an image- (CBS news).
Sheen's doctor, Robert Huizenga, appeared with the actor on the Today show Tuesday and said Sheen "does not have AIDS." Huizenga said later in an open letter released by the actor that Sheen was taking four antiretroviral drugs and that his HIV viral load was now "consistently undetectable."
An undetectable viral load means the amount of HIV particles in the blood is below the level that can be detected by laboratory tests.
While it's unlikely to pass on HIV when the viral load is undetectable and protection is used, doctors say a small risk remains.
"The personal disbelief, karmic confusion, shame and anger led to a temporary yet abysmal descent into profound substance abuse and fathomless drinking. It was a suicide run. Problem was, I'd forgotten that I'm too tough for such a cowardly departure. Yet, despite this loathsome and horrific odyssey, I was vigilant with my anti-viral program," Sheen wrote in part.
With the introduction of antiretroviral medication for HIV, people with HIV/AIDS in high-income countries can expect to live a normal lifespan.
Sheen said he wants to use the opportunity to help others. "My partying days are behind me. My philanthropic days are ahead of me."
Huizenga said his biggest concern with Sheen is "substance abuse and depression from the disease," not HIV shortening his life.
"I have to put a stop to this onslaught, this barrage of attacks and of sub-truths and very harmful and mercurial stories that are about me, threatening the health of so many others that couldn't be further from the truth," he said.
Sheen said he's trusted the diagnosis with people he thought he could confide in, but has paid out upwards of $10 million to keep the illness a secret.
"I trusted them and they were deep in my inner circle, and I thought they could be helpful. My trust turned to their treason."
He said appearing on TODAYnews will help put a stop to those payouts.
"That's my goal. That's not my only goal. I think I release myself from this prison today," he said.
Charlie Sheen's HIV Declaration
50-year-old actor Charlie Sheen's announcement that he's been HIV positive for four years could help to clear up some public misconceptions and stigma, experts say.
Sheen said "It's a hard three letters to absorb. It's a turning point in one's life," he made the announcement to end a smear campaign and extortion efforts.
David Stempowski, who is with the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation, was diagnosed with HIV in 2011. It took him six months to tell those close to him. Stempowski said it must have been "hell" for Sheen trying to keep his status a secret. He respects Sheen for disclosing his status publicly now, given that his career was based on upholding an image- (CBS news).
Sheen's doctor, Robert Huizenga, appeared with the actor on the Today show Tuesday and said Sheen "does not have AIDS." Huizenga said later in an open letter released by the actor that Sheen was taking four antiretroviral drugs and that his HIV viral load was now "consistently undetectable."
An undetectable viral load means the amount of HIV particles in the blood is below the level that can be detected by laboratory tests.
While it's unlikely to pass on HIV when the viral load is undetectable and protection is used, doctors say a small risk remains.
Related story;What If YouTest HIV Positive?-Learn From The Inspiring Story of HIV Positive Woman Who Gave Birth To 5 HIV Negative Children
The Psychological Effects
Sheen also released a statement on how the secrecy opened him up to extortion."The personal disbelief, karmic confusion, shame and anger led to a temporary yet abysmal descent into profound substance abuse and fathomless drinking. It was a suicide run. Problem was, I'd forgotten that I'm too tough for such a cowardly departure. Yet, despite this loathsome and horrific odyssey, I was vigilant with my anti-viral program," Sheen wrote in part.
With the introduction of antiretroviral medication for HIV, people with HIV/AIDS in high-income countries can expect to live a normal lifespan.
Sheen said he wants to use the opportunity to help others. "My partying days are behind me. My philanthropic days are ahead of me."
Huizenga said his biggest concern with Sheen is "substance abuse and depression from the disease," not HIV shortening his life.
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| Charlie Sheen revealed he is HIV positive Tuesday in an exclusive TODAY interview with Matt Lauer. |
Sheen said he's trusted the diagnosis with people he thought he could confide in, but has paid out upwards of $10 million to keep the illness a secret.
"I trusted them and they were deep in my inner circle, and I thought they could be helpful. My trust turned to their treason."
He said appearing on TODAYnews will help put a stop to those payouts.
"That's my goal. That's not my only goal. I think I release myself from this prison today," he said.
#STOPtheSTGMA; #KnowYourHIVSTATUS
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