People with AIDS experience common concerns and face many obstacles that can severely damage their coping capacities. The diagnosis of AIDS immediately threatens long-term survival, a drastically reduced quality of life, and multiple and staggering personal losses. These losses are intensified by feelings of rejection and self-blame. In addition, specific problems exist for specific risk groups with AIDS: intravenous drug users, homosexuals, women, children, and people who develop AIDS or ARC due to receipt of contaminated blood products. The pressures to offer effective psychosocial treatment place extreme stress on health providers. Supportive help for caregivers can take many forms. Education, support groups, coordination, and the use of interdisciplinary teams are all beneficial. 23 references.