Many (most?) people with herpes worry about disclosing their diagnosis to a new partner and become anxious about getting all the pieces that they have in their control just right in order to avoid rejection if possible. Knowing the right time to disclose and finding the right words can feel like a lot of pressure. I hope I can ease some of the pressure for you today.

Longing for a relationship but having a pattern in which you are always attracted to partners who are wrong for you or partners who aren't interested in a relationship with you can be really painful.

This is especially true when you meet someone you really like. Maybe you've had some deep, satisfying talks with them and really fun times together. It feels like there is so much potential! You can't get them out of your head and find yourself anxiously waiting in anticipation for a text from them or hoping that they will soon make plans to get together with you. But they always seem out of reach, leaving you longing. Ultimately, you learn they don't feel the same or they don't want a relationship. This really hurts and can make you feel like something is wrong with you, like something keeps you from being good enough for someone like this to love you back.