Genital herpes is a painful experience, both physically and emotionally.
Whether your symptoms are severe or mild, in addition to the pain and discomfort of herpes outbreaks, you will likely experience a myriad of emotional trauma to go along with it, especially when you are first diagnosed.
Some of the emotional baggage that can go along with genital herpes can include depression, anxiety, guilt, shame, a fear of intimacy, feelings of loss, neglect, disconnection from friends, your partner, or society in general.
If you are experiencing any or all of the above, you need to remember that you don't have to go through all of this alone.
There are many options available for herpes support, and these can include therapy, support groups, online communities, and even online dating.
Therapy and Support Groups Many people who are diagnosed with genital herpes find that talking about their problems in a non-judgemental environment can be very therapeutic and most find it to be a positive and uplifting experience.
Research has shown that dealing with the emotional side of herpes can actually effect the amount and severity of outbreaks a person experiences (remember, stress and anxiety are huge triggers for herpes outbreaks.
If you can't afford one-on-one therapy, most cities have one or several support groups for those suffering from STDs, and many have groups just for herpes sufferers.
Search online or in the paper or telephone directory and see if there's one near you.
Online Communities If you aren't ready for herpes support in person, or you live in a remote area, or there just doesn't happen to be a support group nearby, you can check out the many online communities just for people suffering from herpes.
These offer an anonymous channel where you can discuss issues surrounding the disease with like-minded and sympathetic people.
There are even online dating sites specifically for those suffering from herpes where people can make platonic or romantic connections with fellow sufferers who truly understand what it's like to experience herpes.
Getting some herpes support in the form of therapy, support groups or online communities is a huge step towards accepting and dealing with genital herpes, and is a highly recommended step in the healing process.
It was a huge turning point for me, and allowed me to take my first steps towards re-establishing a normal life with herpes.
Try it for yourself and you might find the whole ordeal just that little bit easier to deal with.