Afraid to Die [Living with HIV]: Psychological Assessment of Death Anxiety in People Living with HIV
This is a psychological assessment designed to measure the level of death-related fear and evaluate psychological adjustment in people living with HIV, helping your care team identify when emotional support may be needed.
{评估HIV感染者的心理健康状态,帮助医护人员了解患者对疾病的心理适应情况,为心理支持和干预提供依据,不涉及血液或其他体液检测,结果用于制定个性化护理方案}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 28365-5
- Short code
- AFRAIDTODIE
- Synonyms
- —
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- reported-living-hiv
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
This assessment, known as "Afraid to die [Living with HIV]," is a psychological evaluation scale specifically designed to measure attitudes toward death and the degree of death-related fear among people living with HIV. It is not a blood test or laboratory procedure in the traditional sense, but rather a self-reported questionnaire that helps your care team understand your emotional state and coping abilities.
Why is this assessment needed?
HIV is a chronic condition that requires you to cope with ongoing physical and emotional challenges over the long term. Fear of death is a common psychological response, and when that fear becomes overwhelming, it can affect your adherence to treatment, your quality of life, and your overall health. This assessment helps your healthcare team identify patients who may need psychological support and offer appropriate interventions.
How is this test performed?
The assessment is usually given as a questionnaire containing a series of questions about your attitudes toward death and how much fear you experience. You simply choose the response that best matches your own situation. The entire process takes about 5-10 minutes and can be completed at a clinic or online. Because this is not a blood test, you do not need to fast or make any special preparations.
What do the results mean?
The results help your healthcare team understand your emotional well-being. If your results show a high level of fear of death, your team may recommend counseling, a support group, or medication. Identifying and addressing psychological distress early can significantly improve your quality of life and the effectiveness of your treatment.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
这项心理评估在HIV感染者护理中具有重要意义。研究表明，心理状态与HIV治疗效果密切相关。死亡恐惧程度较高的患者可能出现治疗依从性下降、抑郁、焦虑等问题。通过定期评估，医护人员可以及时发现心理问题并提供干预，改善患者的整体健康结局。
此外，这项评估结果也有助于制定个性化的护理计划，包括心理支持、药物治疗方案调整和生活方式指导。对于已经接受抗病毒治疗的HIV感染者，保持良好的心理状态对维持免疫功能和长期健康至关重要。
Frequently asked questions
Does this test require a blood draw?
Do I need to fast before taking this test?
Will my answers affect my HIV treatment?
Is it normal to feel afraid of dying?
What should I do if the results show I need psychological support?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy