Healing Metaphors A-Z - HIV (Human Immuno-deficiency Virus)

HIV (Human Immuno-deficiency Virus)
Our infection with the human immuno-deficiency virus often leads to the development of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) where the body’s immune system is seriously compromised. At the deepest levels, this reflects hidden struggles with aspects of valuelessness and meaninglessness. We have lost compensations and natural defenses that we tried to use to protect ourselves, and our buried emotional pain, so that only the illness itself now conceals the emotional pain. Like any defense, this illness eventually brings about the very feelings it was trying to protect us against. There is a loss of vital connection. We feel disconnected from family, community and society. As a result, we feel alienated, separate, defenseless and unprotected. We feel we have to do it on our own. Something was missing during childhood, leaving us feeling vulnerable and without protection.

Chuck Spezzano and Janie Ticehurst, Healing the Body Through Mind and Metaphor