RESUMO
OBJECTIVES@#Patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) confront multiple difficulties during the disease adaptation process. Based on the comprehensive task-based adaptation model, this study aims to explore the process and experience of adapting to living with HIV among HIV/AIDS patients and to provide evidence for promoting the adaptation of this population.@*METHODS@#With the design of the phenomenon study, we purposefully recruited 43 HIV/AIDS patients and conducted semi-structural interviews. The qualitative data was analyzed by Van Manen method.@*RESULTS@#There were 1 307 significant quotes and 6 themes with 14 sub-themes. "The shadow comes along with the sunshine" was proposed to describe the process of adapting to life with HIV. Another 5 themes emerged to represent the tasks as follows: the direction of the mental anchor, the management of physical tasks, social network and support, the occupational dilemma and benefits, and the consideration of the future.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The adapting process possesses both common and personalized characteristics. Future intervention development should address the integrality and interaction of the adaptation tasks, contributing to the positive adaptation outcomes of HIV/AIDS patients.