How to Deal With Depression After a Herpes Diagnosis
If you have severe depression after a herpes diagnosis, please get help. Herpes is not something worth losing your life over.
After herpes diagnosis, I feel like my life is over. What should I do?
Many people have experienced such severe depression after a herpes diagnosis. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence linking depression to a herpes diagnosis, but relatively little published data. That said, in 2012, a national study found that adults infected with HSV-2 were twice as likely to be depressed as adults who did not have HSV-2.
I feel so depressed and gross. Like I feel really disgusting because my vagina has peeling sores on it. I was finr for the past month or so, but the depression is creeping back up. What the fuck am I supposed to do? I’m only 28. On top of this, my doctor is shit and refuses to give me any information, even though I’ve asked her multiple times. Point blank. She just never acknowledges my questions. I feel neglected. I will be filing a complaint against her.
I’m so fucking pissed off yet depressed because I do not know who to hold accountable. How can I find out who this came from and what can I do about this? I never asked for herpes and never consented to let someone transmit it to me, so wtf? This is fucked up x 1000. Also, is this depression something that will eventually go away completely, or will it just come back every so often? I can’t deal with this shit.
Depression after a herpes diagnosis is common, but it is important to know that things will get better over time. For most people, the first outbreak is the worst, and the frequency and severity of future outbreaks can be reduced with suppressive therapy.
You can be mad, be sad, be all of these dark emotions and express it all to yourself for 15 minutes. Get it all off your chest and then shake it all off. (easier said than done, i know.) It’s like telling yourself to not think about the white elephant and then all you can do is think about how to not think about the white elephant. but it gets easier. There’s times where it overtakes your thoughts. but just shake it off. you’re alive today. be thankful for that. It really could be worse.
Have herpes & feel alone? Meet nearby people with herpes
PositiveSingles is one of the most popular dating websites for people suffering from herpes and other STD. It was initiated in 2001. With 1,510,800+ members you are sure to find lots of potentail people around you.
Join and meet nearby people with herpes, browse and chat now!
Herpes is not a fatal illness
It is an incredibly common virus that affects a huge portion of the population. In the U.S., scientists estimate that one in four women and one in five men are living with herpes, many of them without even realizing it. If you have herpes, you are not alone.
Do not let herpes define you
Although hearing that you have herpes can be extremely stressful because of the stigma associated with the disease, herpes is simply a virus like any other. A herpes diagnosis says nothing about how you live your life. It says nothing about who you are.
Your herpes diagnosis DOES NOT DEFINE WHO YOU ARE. You are still the same wonderful living human you were before. It is but an inconvenience now added to your life, that is all. You can still be great and happy and blossom like the beautiful flower child you are. Dont let this drag you down. Dont let it beat you. You are MORE than your diagnosis. Much much more!
Many people live long, happy, romantically- and sexually- satisfying lives after a herpes diagnosis.
Go talk to someone.
There are lots of people are stuggling like you. You may join herpes support group or forums and communicate with others. They are all very helpful and knowledgable. This feeling will pass and all of this anxiety and fear will be for nothing.
Positive Singles: The #1 site to meet other people with herpes
PositiveSingles is one of the most popular dating websites for people suffering from herpes and other STD. It was initiated in 2001. With 1,510,800+ members you are sure to find lots of potentail people around you.
Two of the most common causes of depression after a herpes diagnosis are shame and fear of infecting a partner. Fortunately, there are concrete ways to deal with both of these issues.
Find a doctor treats you with kindness and consideration
The hardest part about this diagnosis is uncertainty. You may be sent away with very little information.You can choose to see different doctors until you find one who treats you with kindness and consideration. Lots of people have been going through that process. It is time consuming, involves many different doctors visits, and some discouragement.
But you will know it will be well worth it to have a primary care doctor who is knowledgeable about herpes and has a good bedside manner. Lots of people have been trying to piece together when and how this happened to them. It’s scary and confusing and not what we ever expected for ourselves. This road is difficult and will test our strength. But we have to stay committed to ourselves, our life, and our health.
Overcome the shame of having herpes
One of the first steps in dealing with shame is understanding how common herpes is. It affects more than 20 percent of the population, black and white, rich and poor, gay and straight. A genital herpes diagnosis says nothing about who you are. There are 40+ famous people with herpes too . Read more how to destroy your herpes shame and embrace your imperfections.
Concerns about infecting a partner
However, there are ways that you can reduce that risk. These include consistently practicing safe sex and using suppressive therapy to reduce herpes transmission. You can also limit sexual contact before and during an outbreak. Read more how to prevent the spread of herpes and the risk of asymptomatic viral shedding.
Stress and Depression Linked with Herpes Outbreaks
Researchers found stress, anxiety, and feelings of depression were associated with genital lesions, and predicted outbreaks about five days before they occurred. Sychological distress is both a cause and consequence of genital lesion episodes
Anxiety levels were also linked with lesions three days following an outbreak . Stress was not a factor in shedding rates, though, and personality had no impact on either shedding or outbreaks.
This shouldn't be surprising, as stress and depression can have powerful effects on the immune system. That's one reason why it is important to seek help if you're stressed or anxious from a new herpes diagnosis. When you're less distraught, you're also less likely to have herpes symptoms. It can be a vicious cycle, but it's a cycle that help and stress reduction techniques can interrupt.
Have herpes & feel alone? Meet nearby people with herpes
PositiveSingles is one of the most popular dating websites for people suffering from herpes and other STD. It was initiated in 2001. With 1,510,800+ members you are sure to find lots of potentail people around you.
Join and meet nearby people with herpes, browse and chat now!
Thinking of suicide?
If you are considering suicide after a herpes diagnosis, then you need to get help. It is very important that you talk to someone immediately and let them know you are feeling this way—someone who can talk to you right now. You can also call your doctor or clergy person. A family member or friend is also a good choice.
If these options are not available to you, please call a suicide crisis hotline. In the United States, you can call 1-800-784-2433 or 1-800-273-8255.
Story: Finally over coming depression and fear after diagnosis
When I was phoned and officially diagnosed with HSV2.I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t stop crying, I was depressed and honestly did not care if I just ceased to exist. Life was so tough. The guy who I had broken up previously was literally the only guy I had opened up and let my walls down to. I for sure thought this diagnosis was the death sentence for dating life. How could I let my walls down and tell someone of my status? I was damaged goods.
Luckily, I decided to care for my mental health. Therapy has helped a lot. Along with therapy I have also started Prozac to help with my emotions. These two things have been life changing for me and I do not know where I would be without it.
I am also glad I joined herpes support group. I’ve read a lot of positive stories of people finding love and how HSV has effected their dating life. Comments that have stuck out to me are “HSV has effected my love life by just weeding out the ones I don’t want in my life.” My therapist and I have talked about this and it is just so good to see it actually happening to others!
Lastly, I just wanted to say thank you guys for being so open and honest. With the support of my therapist and others with herpes, I have put myself out in the dating scene again. I am looking to be more vulnerable and open to the men I meet. I honestly look forward to my first disclosure conversation and hope to eventually find love!
Find other people to lift you up
I can’t say I know what it’s like to have severe depression, but just please be around other people with herpes. If you need to vent or need other people to lift you up, you can find that here.
Stay calm, breathe deeply, and just know that life isn’t over. It’s going to be a hurdle for the rest of your life, for sure, but not one you can’t get over. While I am still coping with the reality of my situation, I have found that I have proven a few things to myself about who I am as a person, and I respect and honor those things that I have learned. Honestly, something like this really grounds you and I think can make you a much more empathetic, self aware, and overall genuine human. Not to mention the fact that it will filter out people in your life (or who try to come into your life) who are the opposite of those things.
Please do reach out to a crisis hotline or a friend/relative who may be aware of your mental struggles. Someone who loves you will be able to support you through this. Again, try to communicate with other helpful people who have hepres. Sending lots of positive, healthy vibes your way.
Positive Singles: The #1 site to meet other people with herpes
PositiveSingles is one of the most popular dating websites for people suffering from herpes and other STD. It was initiated in 2001. With 1,510,800+ members you are sure to find lots of potentail people around you.