Psychological defenses and control of AIDS.

The well known psychological defenses of avoidance, repression, and denial against the knowledge that one has, or might have, a fatal disease used by a high percentage of individuals, must be considered in control programs for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Current programs of education, voluntary testing, and counseling do not consider this defense mechanism and may therefore provide inadequate control. Compulsory HIV testing programs and development of an "HIV Parole" system may be needed if the current HIV epidemic worsens.