A tingle on the skin, a stressful week at work, an upcoming date: for many people with genital herpes, any of these can set off hours of worry about the next flare-up. The symptoms themselves usually pass within days, yet the fear of another recurrence can linger for months or even years. Over time, that constant vigilance can wear on the body and mind like any other long-running stressor. Understanding how the fear works, and how to loosen it, can make living with this very common virus far easier.
How can fear of another outbreak become chronic stress?
The fear becomes chronic stress when worry stays switched on most days instead of rising and falling with actual symptoms. Chronic stress is a long-lasting stress response that keeps the body on alert, raising hormones such as cortisol for weeks or months. Short bursts of stress are normal and even useful. Constant anticipation of the next outbreak is different, because the threat never fully passes. Signs can include poor sleep, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
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