No More Fear
My husband has been diagnosed as having OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). He lives under the constant fear of getting infected by HIV from everything in his surroundings. He is on medication currently with little or no result. His condition is dismal, and his job and our relationships are getting affected by it to a great extent.
It seems that your husband is suffering from hypochondria as well, which is defined as ‘a person’s preoccupation with the fear of contacting, or a belief of having, a serious disease.’ Hypochondrias result from a patient’s unrealistic or inaccurate interpretations of physical symptoms or sensations even though no known medical cause can be found. The preoccupation results in significant distress and impairs his or her ability to function adequately. It should also be differentiated from other delusional disorders like schizophrenia.
Your husband needs a competent psychiatrist and counselor/therapist who can help in treating and managing of the existing conditions. Meanwhile take the following tips:
1. Don’t discuss AIDS or its symptoms with him.
2. Also don’t attempt to change his strong beliefs about the disease, for that will only make him more stubborn and entrenched in his opinions.
3. Don’t carry out any investigations to prove that he’s not infected, as they will only disappoint him. These individuals are not going to change their belief by normal reports.
4. See that he gets his prescribed medications regularly.
5. Distract his mind with activities like exercise, yoga, eating out and the movies.