How do you deal with the depression?

[pokerguy898]

I have found myself at a point where I have never been before. I am the most depressed I have ever been and this is a new form of depression as I keep thinking of ways to make the pain stop. (i guess you could say that they are bad ways) My question is this; have any of you taken medication to help with the depression and anxiety? I just feel like I cannot function like a normal human being right now.

[auntiejessi]

Oh please talk to your doctor about this.  Studies show that the best results for severe depression come from meds AND therapy.

If you are in the US, 1-800-SUICIDE is a good number to have programmed into your phone.  Waring made a great suggestion about that.

Herpes itself doesn't cause depression, but obviously, the diagnosis can make an existing depression worse.  

Many times, hearing the diagnosis can motivate a person into therapy, and I say whatever works, go for it, as long as its healthy.  :)

Keep in touch with us about this, ok?

Aj

[pokerguy898]

Thanks for the replys. I do feel like I have lost perspective on things and I know that I am letting this take over my life and I shouldn't.

[waringblender]

I should also add that there are people out there to help you if you feel acutely suicidal or really shaky and on the edge. If you have a cell phone, program the local suicide hotline phone number into your phone. These places are usually 24/7 and there is always someone to talk to if you have no other options and need to reach out. Don't hesitate to call them, either, if you AREN'T suicidal and just need to chat for a little while about your feelings. I've worked on suicide hotlines in the past, and we took tons of calls from folks who just felt isolated or bummed out for whatever reason and needed to get a little clarity and perspective for a few minutes.

I can't tell you the number of calls we got where the caller opened with, "I"m not suicidal, but ... "  It's common. People get locked into their thought processes and start spinning and they can't let go of those thoughts, so they lose perspective. It happens a lot. Reaching out (to anybody) will help you get clarity and give you some hope and perspective that things will get better.

[waringblender]

The other 2 posters are right: herpes is just so common that it's not worth getting bent out of shape about. Really, it's not. I remember when I contracted herpes and told my 2 best girlfriends I had it - one of them already had it for years, and they both knew quite a few people with it as well. It's just really common.

That said, if you really feel like you are in a dysfunctional state psychologically over it, there's nothing wrong with talking to your doctor about antidepressant medication. There are some great meds out there that can help you get back on your feet, as it were. Look into psychotherapy as well, if you think that will help.

Talk therapy really won't work, though, if you are too depressed to function without medication. It requires lots of introspection and active mental and emotional work to sort out your feelings, and most clinically depressed people really can't do any of that unless they are medicated to get their mood elevated. Then they can start functioning again mentally and emotionally.

Good luck.

[slacker101]

the way you deal with it is looking at the reality that more than half the population alread has HSV1 and about 25% have HSV2. That's a LOT!!! Sad thing is it is probably even higher than 25% since most of the people that even have this don't even know it. Trust me, herpes is NOT the end of the world!! Trust me, let your brain work on dealing with this SMALL problem and over time you will see it is no big deal!!

[bewildered2006]

If you do have herpes....its not the end of the line.  You still have your health....minus a slight distraction from time to time.  I have had no testing as of yet for HSV.....but If I were single and I realized I had it.....I'd get over it. Not going to change anything by allowing it to consume me.  In my case I built up some anxiety and dropped some weight because I stepped out on my wife and I was worried about my stupid act placing her in harms way. STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!   Not only that....losing my family.  I had time to think about this whole thing....and I can honestly say that I would be perfectly fine if I were living the single life with herpes.  Its not like my ambitions for the things in life are going to change.  You can be the same way.  Keep your head up....and continue to look forward to all the things you find important. Stay close to those you love and have fun with your friends. Just don't get down on yourself!