Living with HIV can feel isolating, but having a supportive community can help improve your overall quality of life as well as make it easier to stick with your treatment regimen.
When you think about the best ways to manage your HIV, things like consistently taking antiretroviral therapy (ART), attending scheduled appointments, and staying active might come to mind.
Don’t forget to add joining a social group, making friends, and being part of a support group to that list. Staying connected with others is good for your health.
For many people, the stigma of living with HIV can lead to isolation. Loneliness can impact your physical and emotional health. Everyone, especially those living with HIV, can benefit from a solid support network. Here’s why.
People who feel connected to others may be more likely to take ART consistently and have lower viral loads.
Taking ART exactly as directed is the best way to get your viral load down to an undetectable level.
Many factors can get in the way of taking ART. One factor is how connected you feel to your care team.
Finding the right HIV medications can take time, and you’ll undergo routine blood work to monitor your viral load. Your care team’s primary goal is to support you during your healthcare journey.
A small older study suggests that when your care team also meets your emotional needs, you may be more likely to start ART and stick with it.
Having a good support network outside of your clinic matters too. A 2023 multivariable research study, adjusted for certain human characteristics and life factors, showed that people who felt solid connections with others were less likely to stop taking ART.
Research referenced in a 2024 research review notes that isolation and loneliness, especially among folks with HIV, increase the risk of depression.
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People with HIV have higher rates of depression than the general population. Connecting with others is even more important to help protect your mental health when you have HIV.
One reason for the higher rates of depression is that living with HIV still carries a stigma. When people start to believe negative things about themselves, they are at a greater risk of loneliness and isolation, which increases the risk of depression.
There are people for everyone out there to connect with. It can be fulfilling when you find your crew.
Connections with others are important. It’s nice, and it feels good to have someone you can call when you want to talk or need help. It’s also rewarding when you can do the same for someone else.
Your network can include people from all parts of your life. The healthcare professionals in the medical facility where you get your HIV care are part of your support network. Family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors can also be part of your network.
If you’re looking to make more friends and connections as an adult, you might consider joining a club, doing some volunteer work, or taking a class.
Peer support can help you feel like you’re taking more of
Stigma can increase when people don’t talk about something. Peer support can be a powerful way to connect with others who also live with HIV. When you build relationships with others who are living well with HIV, it helps break down the stigma.
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Finding people with similar interests is an important reminder that you belong. Doing something creative may provide an extra boost to your sense of well-being.
If you’re feeling lonely or disconnected from people in your life, it can be hard to build new connections. Feeling lonely can carry a stigma even though many people experience loneliness.
Trying something new can be good for your health and help you make new connections. Some older research showed that being more involved in sports, hobbies, and other activities is associated with better mental health. The same researchers found an extra benefit if you do these things with others.
It can be tough to make friends as an adult. Think about what you enjoy doing or what you’re curious about trying. Pickleball? Painting? Book club? More than likely, there’s a group out there for you. It can feel easier to connect with others when you have similar interests.
Consider trying something creative. A small study from 2016 found that doing art activities lowered cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone.” A more recent review of studies suggests that creative arts may have a role in improving mental health.
It’s smart to have trusted people around you who know you live with HIV. This is important if you need help with medical decisions or have a medical emergency.
It can feel lonely to face medical decisions on your own. If you have safe people in your network who know your HIV status, you can share the decision making load with them.
Your HIV clinic team may be able to support you with many health decisions. It’s also smart to have at least a few trusted friends or family members who know you are HIV positive.
It can be helpful to have an ally if you need someone to help you advocate for yourself. There is still a lot of misinformation about HIV. A good ally can help to educate others to reduce the stigma about living with HIV.
HIV is now considered a chronic condition. With treatment, people are able to live full lives.
Though progress has been made, stigma about HIV still remains, and it can contribute to loneliness. People with HIV, especially older folks, have a greater risk of isolation. Both loneliness and isolation are associated with worsening mental health outcomes and making it more difficult to adhere to ART.
Having support can be helpful. You can build a support network — or add to your existing one — in different ways.
A good starting part is your healthcare team, which can include healthcare professionals from a specialty HIV clinic.
Meeting other folks living with HIV, or peer support, can also be beneficial. Healthcare professionals and your peers may be able to connect you with even more individuals living with HIV and resources, and they can better understand some of the things you’re going through.
Informal social networks also matter. This can include meeting new people by joining a social club or group, getting to know your neighbors, or building relationships with coworkers.
There are plenty of reasons why it’s worth building a community. It can improve your physical and mental health and support you to manage your HIV.
You’re not meant to do this alone.