ABSTRACT
In many ways acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) grief is similar to grief that is related to any other terminal illness. AIDS grief differs because there are additional factors to consider that tend to complicate the grief. In many situations, mental health professionals use the term, "complicated grief" to describe certain behaviors and coping strategies that are perceived to be unhealthy. Populations most greatly affected by human immune deficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS may also be ones most disenfranchised and least accepted by society. The grief of these survivors is rarely validated as many of their relationships are unaccepted, criticized, and gossiped about. The ability of most people to recognize and to respond to grief is further complicated by the lack of societal acceptance of a person bereaved by a death from AIDS-related illnesses. There are still relatively few places for mourners who are grieving deaths and losses from AIDS to go for consistent support and understanding.
