STDs seem to happen to many people. Whether the diagnosis is for herpes or any other infection, it can be a devastating experience. This is exactly why trying to maintain your self esteem with an STD can be so difficult for people.
You should start by learning as much as you can about your STD. You’ll most likely have many questions that you should ask them! Asking questions and educating yourself will help you realize that this is not a debilitating condition and that you can live with it!
After the initial shock, it’s easy to feel sad and even dirty, as if one has done something wrong. But one doesn’t have to be promiscuous to have contracted an STD. Perhaps your partner brought this into the relationship. Perhaps you had a few relationships and aren’t sure about who could have given you this STD.
Through it all, you have to remember that you’re the same person you were before you received the news. This diagnosis, however, can be a wake up call that says you want to value yourself as much as possible. Talk to your partner if you have one, but do so with a sense of self-respect. If you’re not in a monogamous relationship and are dating, hold your head high and value what you have to offer, but let them know that you do have an STD.
Doing what’s right is a big part of developing self esteem. Sleeping with someone when you have an STD might save you the embarrassment, but you’ll feel guilty after the fact. This will wreck your self worth. Instead of sex, take some time to get to know each other even better. Don’t let the disease stop you from having a great time.
Tell your partner what the situation is. If you seem uncomfortable about it, your partner will be less accepting of your situation. It’s not the disease that will affect your life, it’s how you react to it. If you don’t go and talk to people, then you will be depressed and hurting your self esteem even more.
Even if your partner doesn’t accept you, it’s a lot better to know now then later. It’s definitely a lot better than worrying about whether he or she will find out on their own! If worst comes to worst, enjoy some alone time and then get back into the field! You don’t have be alone forever just because of an STD. Go out on dates, have a good time, just be safe and be responsible. Let your date know what’s the situation, but it doesn’t have to be right away. Wait till you reach the comfortable level in your relationship, the stage before the sex.
Looking for more info on how to maintaining your self esteem with an STD ? Get the low down on the best STD Dating Sites now in our Herpes Dating Sites guide.