Look around and see the people in your life. It is from these people that will want to create your immediate support network. If there are few in this group, begin to identify resources to help you establish support in new circles, such as Mediconsult's Support Groups . Opening new doors may be a new experience for you, and difficult. For various reasons, it is often hard to talk about emotionally sensitive issues or vulnerabilities.
Cultural norms can also run counter to open disclosure.
Let yourself proceed slowly. Talk with your doctor or other health care providers to find resources and get ideas. Try to attend an HIV support group and listen to the stories of others. Ideally, try to find a support group compatible with your cultural or lifestyle practices for kinship and support. However, if this is not possible, support which helps you to recognize that you do not have to deal with this illness alone is invaluable.