Self confidence

If you already had low self-esteem before you were diagnosed with HIV, whether from your childhood or some other problem, receiving your diagnosis may have worsened this.

Worrying about your future, your body image and telling people that you are HIV positive are all common. Much of this concern can come from the feelings you had after you were diagnosed. Feeling guilty about your HIV status can lead to self-esteem problems but this can only stop you from being motivated to live a full and enjoyable life.

When you’re feeling low on self-confidence you can feel trapped and unable to progress with your life. Perhaps you feel that your life isn’t worth investing in or that you simply don’t have the ability, money or looks to achieve what you think others have managed to do. Self-confidence can also impact upon your relationships with others – you may not feel confident enough to tell your close friends and family about your HIV status, for example.

These feelings are perfectly normal but if you can find a way to overcome them and improve your self-esteem, you’ll be happier and are likely to be healthier as you take control of your life and what you want out of it. If your lack of self-confidence is preventing you from talking about your HIV status with your loved ones it could be useful to explore ways to better adapt to your situation.

Talking to your friends and family can be one of the best ways to boost your confidence – they have your best interests at heart and can provide emotional support when you need it most. Taking some time to look at all of the things you’ve achieved and the problems you have overcome is a good starting point to give yourself a lift.

You could also try making contact with support groups for HIV positive people, which can be a good place to talk in safe surroundings with like-minded people. Workshops that aim to give you skills to boost your confidence and self-esteem could also be useful. Talk to THT Direct or use our Service Finder for details.