Paper Example on Social and Psychological Implications of STD's

Introduction

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections whose primary mode of transmission is sexual contact with infected persons. Examples of STDs include gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and genital herpes. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) falls under the STDs category. Persons infected with STDs have a high prevalence of contracting HIV due to increased entry points. Infections from these diseases affect the patient's life in a variety of ways. Apart from the health implications, individuals face many social and psychological challenges that affect their quality of life (Newton et al. 187). The problems arise due to the perceptions with which the communities view these illnesses. Thus, affected persons have to endure psychological burdens. This paper discusses the social and psychological implications of HIV/AIDS and STDs.

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Risky behaviors such as unprotected sexual contact predominantly increase the risk of contracting STDs. Some of the symptoms of STDs include pain during urination, unusual discharges from sexual organs, swelling of genitals, odors, rashes, itchiness, and sores. Upon noticing any of these signs, it is advisable to seek professional medical help. Timely treatment is essential to combat illnesses and prevent further complications. Treatment procedures incorporate drug therapies as well education on prevention measures. Some of the common prevention strategies include abstinence, use of protective measures correctly, and behavior modification (Newton et al. 188). Patients are advised to practice less risky behaviors to decrease the risk of exposure. Prevention measures also include regular screening to evaluate individual health status.

Individuals who suffer from STDs or HIV face stigma in the community. In most cases, society views them as lesser human beings. The public embraces prejudices that discriminate against such patients. By revealing their health status, affected persons expose themselves to a lot of public scrutiny and criticism (Stutterheim et al. 382). The society perpetuates stigma against sick people through practices such as social isolation and stereotyping. Lack of accurate information regarding STDs and HIV contributes to the misguided attitudes of the society. The harsh treatment takes a toll on the mental wellness of affected persons. Out of fear of the labels, most patients prefer to keep such information private. Concealing one's health status from loved ones has a negative impact on psychological well-being. Concealment denies the person an opportunity to benefit from existing social support systems.

Having to deal with an STD or HIV severely erodes one's self-esteem. When a person contracts the disease, there is a high possibility that the society will treat him differently. Changes in how loved ones interact with the patient can lead to psychological issues. Due to the shame associated with such illnesses, friends, family, and colleagues tend to dissociate themselves from the sick person. The society's general perception is that STDs and HIV are a result of immoral behavior; thus, the need to distance themselves from the ill (Stutterheim et al. 383). An infected person easily loses a sense of worthiness when loved ones abandon him. The patient undergoes psychological torture as he deals with the reality of his predicament. He lacks the confidence to share his experiences or ask for help. This situation can lead to depression as psychological stress can easily overwhelm him.

The diseases affect the social status of an individual within a given social context. Fitting back into society upon recovery from an STD infection is a challenging process. Unlike people who suffer from an illness such as cold flu, acceptance of STD patients into society takes time. Members of the community previously held in high regard become outcasts that are unwelcome in the society. Despite the full recovery, society upholds discriminatory practices. Prolonged stigmatization leads to psychological distress (Stutterheim et al. 383). The society's judgmental behavior makes it challenging for the individual to focus on other tasks. His experience becomes a topic of conversation in every social setting as he is always criticized and ridiculed. Lack of acceptance can weigh down on the person and accentuate feelings of guilt for contracting the disease.

Patients with STDs and HIV tend to receive less social support compared to other patients. Provision of social support is essential to improving the quality of life for the sick. Help from the community supplements services offered by healthcare professionals. It gives patients a fresh perspective and encourages the development of a positive image towards life. Social aid in the form of emotional and instrumental support contributes to the patients' wellbeing. People dealing with STDs or HIV have limited access to emotional care (Stutterheim et al. 388). Factors such as misguided fear of infection hinder the participation of the community in social support provision. Thus, relatively low numbers of community volunteer to offer assistance to the ill. The absence of a support system frustrates the patients' efforts to cope with reality. Hence, it increases mental distress and development of self-stigma.

Conclusion

In conclusion, STDs and HIV have a negative impact on a patient's social and psychological aspects. STDs such as syphilis and gonorrhea spread through sexual contact with infected persons. Contracting an STD increases susceptibility to HIV infection due to entry points such as broken skin surfaces. Due to social stigma subjected to HIV and STDs patients, affected persons undergo psychological distress. Discrimination, isolation and stereotyping are some of the forms of public disgrace that affect mental wellness. Thus, stigmatized patients lead low-quality lives due to loss of self-esteem and hope.

Works Cited

Newton, Danielle C., and Marita McCabe. "Effects of Sexually Transmitted Infection Status, Relationship Status, and Disclosure Status on Sexual Self-Concept." Journal of Sex Research, vol. 45, no. 2, 2008, pp. 187-192. doi: 10.1080/00224490802012909.

Stutterheim, Sarah E., et al. "Psychological and Social Correlates of HIV Status Disclosure: The Significance of Stigma Visibility." AIDS Education and Prevention, vol. 23, no. 4, 2011, pp. 382-392. doi: 10.1521/2011.23.4.382.