Can HSV Cause Anxiety or Depression?

By definition, depression means to depress is to "sadden, make less active, and lower in value". Depression is defined as a hollow or low place, a lowly spirit, and less activity (not as busy). 

Some say Herpes Simplex Virus doesn't cause anxiety or depression, but I beg to differ. Two things can contribute to depression while living with herpes. Firstly, living with herpes can affect your self-esteem. 

First, to inwardly feel like the punchline of "social jokes" isn't easy to live with. It can make you feel dirty and unworthy of everything you've yearned for, like love. You can feel depressed even though you're not (you're oppressed). It's stressful, and stress is an HSV trigger. Why? Because it causes inflammation, which triggers the virus to reactivate. 

Secondly, the Herpes Simplex Virus does its fair share of causing inflammation in the body. Most herpes breakouts last between 7 and 21 days. If you experience frequent blistering, you'll often only have a week or two of normalcy before the next breakout, which affects your immune system and causes chronic, low-grade inflammation. Even the general malaise experienced during the prodromal phase affects stress hormones, which can lead to inflammation in the body. Anxiety and depression are caused by inflammation.

So, based on this information, can herpes cause anxiety or depression? Yes. Frequent herpes breakouts can be either the cause or the result of anxiety and depression. And the more frequent your breakouts, the more likely you will suffer. 

Additionally, while we still don't know much about how viruses work, scientists have proven that HHV-6 viruses can infect neurons and possibly cause cognitive disturbances leading to bipolar and major depressive disorder. HHV-6 is associated with fever, diarrhea, and roseola. It typically infects nearly 100% of all humans by the time we are three years old. HHV-6A can also cause Alzheimer's, by the way. You can read more about it here.

Whenever you feel anxious or depressed, be mindful of what you're thinking about yourself. Consider your diet and how it's affecting your microbiome.

If you are severely depressed, be sure to talk with your doctor. It's crucial to get your mood under control. 

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