There have been a few recent posts in regard to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV can be difficult because there is still a lot we do not know about it and there appears to be many grey areas. HPV for the most part it is not a very serious medical condition.
I have noticed that there is a great deal of anxiety around HPV and I thought it would be worth while to talk about anxiety.
I chatted with one of our psychologists who has a lot of experience in sexual health. He was able to give me some insight from what he has seen in his clinical practice. Here is a summary of some of his comments.
Often when a person has a high degree of anxiety, about a lower risk sexual activity, it may be about their feelings of guilt and shame. The guilt/shame can cause people to worry about getting a “dreaded disease”. That worry may be out of proportion to the risk of getting an infection and the severity of that infection. People try to deal with this worry by searching for more information about the infection. The hope is that more information will make them feel better. If this is happening to you it may be more helpful to examine the guilt/shame.
Sometimes understanding what is causing anxiety is enough and you can deal with it on your own. But some people may find it beneficial to talk to a sex counsellor.
Here are some local links:
Dr David Mckenzie http://www.davidmckenzie.ca/
Dr Bianca Rucker http://www.biancarucker.com/
Dr Pega Ren http://www.smartsextalk.com/
HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.stiresource.com
I have noticed that there is a great deal of anxiety around HPV and I thought it would be worth while to talk about anxiety.
I chatted with one of our psychologists who has a lot of experience in sexual health. He was able to give me some insight from what he has seen in his clinical practice. Here is a summary of some of his comments.
Often when a person has a high degree of anxiety, about a lower risk sexual activity, it may be about their feelings of guilt and shame. The guilt/shame can cause people to worry about getting a “dreaded disease”. That worry may be out of proportion to the risk of getting an infection and the severity of that infection. People try to deal with this worry by searching for more information about the infection. The hope is that more information will make them feel better. If this is happening to you it may be more helpful to examine the guilt/shame.
Sometimes understanding what is causing anxiety is enough and you can deal with it on your own. But some people may find it beneficial to talk to a sex counsellor.
Here are some local links:
Dr David Mckenzie http://www.davidmckenzie.ca/
Dr Bianca Rucker http://www.biancarucker.com/
Dr Pega Ren http://www.smartsextalk.com/
HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.stiresource.com
