Author struggled with mental health after life-changing diagnosis| Top Vip News

Women’s health

By Claudia Poposki, News.com.au

A woman has revealed how she began having suicidal thoughts after a brief phone call with a doctor.

Annaleise Easlea He thought he had cut himself shaving and it wasn’t healing at the time he was due for a regular checkup.

“The doctor agreed they thought it was a cut from shaving, but she swabbed it for herpes,” Easlea told news.com.au.

A week later, Easlea was told she needed to schedule a follow-up appointment.

I was nervous because, normally with these tests, no news is good news.

She booked a telehealth appointment because she couldn’t imagine being told what she suspected face to face.

“I got the call the next day and he told me I was positive for HSV-2 and pretty much ended the conversation, as well as talking to me about antivirals,” Easlea said.

“I hung up the phone and just broke down. “I felt like in an instant I was forced to regret the life I had without a lifelong diagnosis and forced to accept something that many people don’t understand.”

HSV is the herpes simplex virus and causes a viral skin condition known as HSV1 and HSV2.

HSV1 is transmitted through oral contact and is more commonly known as cold sores.

It can also cause genital herpes through oral-to-genital contact.

HSV2 is known as genital herpes and is transmitted through sexual contact.

The World Health Organization said 3.7 billion people under 50 have HSV-1 and 491 million people between 15 and 49 have HSV-2, as of April 2023.

Easlea was shocked and deeply saddened by her diagnosis, particularly the misinformation about herpes and the fact that no one talks about it.

When she discovered her diagnosis in May 2023, it was a week before she released her book. Keep swimming.

It was already a difficult time, so he pushed himself and continued with what he had to do.

“After all the excitement around it started to fade, that’s when the diagnosis really came to mind again. It got worse before it got better,” she said.

“I really started struggling with suicidal ideation again.”

His book was about mental health and he had gone through some difficult periods in his life: he had been in the navy and left after six years, and he had also left his marriage to focus on his mental health.

But something about this particular news story had her under control.

Although she wasn’t angry at the person who had given her herpes.

“I can say that maybe they didn’t tell me, but it’s very likely that these people never knew they had it, or their symptoms were so mild that they thought it was something else,” he said.

“It’s really no one’s fault unless someone does it intentionally.”

Instead, she regretted the life she had imagined for herself, fearing that her diagnosis would lead to a future filled with confusion and judgment from others.

Just one day before her 30th birthday trip to Thailand, Easlea suddenly felt unsure if she would even be able to board the plane.

She felt as if there was no future ahead for her.

So, he did what he always did when he needed to clear his head: he went for a walk.

Driving for three hours, he debated whether he should board the plane.

During his trip, an email arrived from a woman who had attended his book launch.

The woman expressed gratitude for his heartfelt speech about mental health and mentioned that it had helped her better support her son during his depression.

“That email reminded me of the power I have in using my voice to turn my pain into my purpose and help others through it,” she said.

“I had this lightbulb moment where I realized that if my voice was still having an impact a month after her book was released, then maybe that’s why I had herpes because I can’t sit still knowing how much it affects people’s mental health. people.

“There are so many people who suffer in silence because they feel like they can’t talk to anyone.”

He decided to board the plane to Thailand.

During the flight, she wrote about her diagnosis and shared it with a friend.

This friend then passed it on to another person diagnosed with herpes, who found it very helpful.

He then decided to make his sexual health status public to continue supporting others using his lived experience.

Now she’s using her voice to raise awareness and debunk misconceptions about herpes.

She emphasizes that while the physical symptoms can be concerning, the mental impact is often the most challenging.

Easlea notes that doctors often offer minimal information about support services or general STI education.

She advocates that those diagnosed with the condition also receive referrals to psychologists or sexologists to help them overcome the initial shock and trauma.

“It is not something that defines them and they can learn to live and thrive with HSV. It is possible because I am doing it,” she said.

Easlea, who is taking a break from dating, said having herpes has benefits, such as acting as a dating filter when discussing the topic.

He said it also helps track physical and mental well-being, as it often arises during periods of stress.

Easlea encouraged people to undergo regular STI testing while reminding them that a positive diagnosis does not mean the end of the world.

Dr Mitchell Tanner, co-founder of Stigma Health, said early detection was important to help reduce potential long-term risks.

“More than a third of Stigma Health patients using the asynchronous telehealth option are testing for STIs for the first time, demonstrating the value of discreet access – that’s thousands of people who otherwise would not have sought testing,” said.

“Access to STI testing and sexual health services in an online, non-judgmental environment is critical to increasing testing rates in Australia.”

If you are having suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free, confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or visit Suicide PreventionLifeline.org.