Ray.Manley@f9.n125.z1.fidonet.org (Ray Manley) (02/03/90)
Hypotheses about Factors Contributing to Longer Aids Survival
Generated by Consultant Group of Long-Surviving Men with AIDS
And the UCSF-Biophychosocial AIDS Project*
1. Acceptance of the reality of the diagnosis of AIDS in
conjunction with refusal to perceive the condition as a
death sentence, at least an imminent one.
2. Perceiving the treating physician as a collaborator, not
acting in a passive-compliant (nor defiant) mode.
3. A commitment to life in terms of "unfinished business," unmet
goals, or as-yet unfulfilled experiences and wishes.
4. A sense of personal responsibility for and ability to
influence one's health.
5. A sense of meaningfulness and purpose in life.
6. A prior mastered experience with a life-threatening illness
or very serious life event.
7. A spiritual sense of feeling of something beyond the self.
8. Useful information from and supportive contact with a person
with AIDS shortly following diagnosis.
9. Assertiveness and the ability to say "no."
10. A sense of humor.
11. A personalized means of active coping that is believed to
have beneficial health effects.
12. Acceptance of homosexuality and lack of perception of AIDS
as "punishment."
13. Altered lifestyle to accommodate disease in an adaptive way.
14. Altruistic involvement with persons with AIDS.
15. Ability to communicate openly, including about illness
concerns.
16. Ability to withdraw from involvements and "nurture" oneself.
17. Finding new meaning as a result of the disease itself.
18. Sensitivity to one's own body, and to bodily/psychological
needs.
19. Physical fitness, and participation in exercise.
20. Taking "responsibility" to enjoy life.
21. Perceiving one's current life as more than a state of
illness.
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* For more information, contact: Dr. Lydia Temoshok, Langley
Porter Psychiatric institute Box F, 401 Parnassus, San
Francisco, CA 94143-0984. Phone: (415) 476-7518
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