Managing stress & anxiety

[mlfs]

Our daughter was diagnosed with genital herpes a few months ago. She has tremendous anxiety and we are trying to help her manage it. Chest tightening. Heart racing. Daily sadness. Crying. She can’t seem to take her mind off it for very long. We think she would benefit from talking to other young women who have passed this stage and have been able to move on with their lives.

Medical professionals have been very kind & helpful, but even her gynecologist does not seem to understand the struggle. Most have given her the statistics but don’t understand that is of little comfort. We have read many of your comments online, but truthfully we are not even sure if further testing is recommended or necessary. Please advise

We are open to any suggestions.

[Terri Warren]

How was your daughter diagnosed with herpes? Do you know if she has HSV 1 or HSV 2?
I would say that in addition to talking to someone who has gotten past the initial shock and sadness, she would benefit from cognitive behavior therapy with a CBT therapist. This particular type of therapy is helpful in changing thoughts thus changing feelings and I have found it is the most helpful sort of therapy for people having difficulty with a genital herpes diagnosis.

Terri

[mlfs]

Thanks for responding Terri. She was diagnosed by a university clinic. I believe it is HSV-1 genital herpes. She has seen a counselor on campus who is not very familiar with herpes, but told her she may have PTSD. Obviously this is very concerning and she is not really sure where to turn at this point.

She has spent an inordinate amount of time on the internet and it has been consuming. She contacted a local support group but they wanted her to attend a group meeting and set up a Facebook page to interact with others. That seemed premature and actually increased her anxiety.

How do you recommend we find a reputable CBT? How do you find a counselor who has experience with herpes?

[Terri Warren]

I don’t think you necessarily need a therapist with herpes experience specifically. The principles are the same regardless of the problem. I think if you google CBT therapists, there is a list by city. Where do you live?

HSV 1 is a far less severe problem genitally than HSV 2. In college students about 82% of new infections are HSV 1 now, due to a large increase in oral sex. She may never have another recurrence and if she does have recurrences, they will likely be mild and infrequent. She may safely have sex with someone else who has HSV 1, be it oral or genital infection, without worry of transmission.

And of course she can write me for facts if she wants to. Or she and I can do a phone consultation as well.

Terri

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