ABSTRACT

The tone for reflection and exploration in the workshop was set by the author. She drew attention to the splits that occur in institutions, groups and individuals when primitive reactions of fear and rage are triggered by acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The aim was to concentrate on the psychological and social aspects and, more specifically, on the emotional experiences surrounding the AIDS crisis as well as the concomitant group phenomena that might be hampering the implementation of the necessary preventative and treatment measures. AIDS occurs when there is a breakdown of immunological competence in the person. Dr. Charles Farthing spoke with alarming familiarity about his daily life lived in close proximity with the AIDS virus. Antony Grey developed the notion of AIDS as a seminal, social problem. He drew a parallel and made links between difficulties surrounding racist attitudes and those surrounding feelings generated towards AIDS sufferers.