Dealing with the Stress
With herpes, depression is often complicated by the unfortunate stigma that is attached to having the disease and the stress that having an STD places on a person and their relationships.
The first thing to do is confront the problem and ask yourself to acknowledge your depression. Also the pain (physical and emotional), and whatever psychology issues you are coping with regarding your diagnosis.
Once a person understands that they have a chronic and relapsing illness and has faced whatever social issues occur in people with herpes, the treatment of depression is similar to the treatment of depression in other people.
Medical Help
Often, one of several antidepressants are used, based on the what the patient needs – treating anxiety, insomnia, avoiding impotence (a side effect of many antidepressants), cost and treating pain.
The fact that chronic pain and depression involve the same nerves and neurotransmitters means that antidepressants can be used to improve both chronic pain and depression. In some patients, therapy is recommend.
Exercise is the farthest thing from the mind of most people with depression. But regular physical activity CAN help depression (and decrease pain) – it’s a natural antidepressant.
SUPPORTIVE COUNSELING
When first diagnosed with genital herpes, many people experience depression, guilt, shame, or anger at previous partners, and often want to withdraw from relationships altogether. Though these feelings usually abate or decrease in intensity with time, they can cause considerable interim psychological suffering and disruption of social activity. Counseling may be particularly helpful during this time, obtained through primary care providers or by referral to specialists or local support groups. A reliable source of additional information is the Herpes Resource Center (American Social Health Association).
