Description: At 23 years old - when most of us are planning for the life ahead of us - Caroline Rajan was told that she was HIV positive and her world came crashing down. This virus would not only affect her physical health, but the stigma and judgement associated with it led her mental health to spiral and made her think that a romantic relationship would forever be out of her reach. In this episode, Caroline shares why after twenty years she decided that this is no longer a secret she wanted to keep. We also hear from consultant infectious diseases physician Dr Anjanna Kukreja. 

You can follow Caroline’s art here. 

Beyond The Diagnosis is a series about people, going beyond the diagnosis to explore their personal experiences, their challenges, as well as the impact of their health condition on their loved ones. These stories reveal the importance of understanding the unique struggles and needs of the individuals behind the medical diagnosis. 

This segment includes mentions of suicidal ideation and substance abuse. If you need to talk to someone, look for local support within your community, or call helplines like: Befrienders KL at 03-7627 2929, Talian HEAL at 15 555, or MIASA at 1-800-1800-66.

Produced by: Lim Sue Ann

Presented by: Lim Sue Ann

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Categories:  managing disease,  medical advances,  wellness

Tags:  the bigger picture,  health & living,  beyondthediagnosis,  hiv,  aids,  mental health,  infectious disease,  stigma,