[net.suicide] herpes

ecn-pa:swc@pur-ee.UUCP (06/10/83)

I have a friend (sounds like a line, eh?) that has been rather suicidal
due to general depression and a poor self-image. Within the last year
or so my friend acquired Herpes (incurable don't you know) and has
been even more bummed out. "Who would want to have sex with me", "I'll
never get married now", etc. Luckily, this person has come close but has
chickened out before actually jumping out in front of a Mack or swallowing
those pills. I tell my friend that there are millions that now have the
same affliction and it is spreading fast. They call it an epidemic now...
No, says my friend. The probability of finding others with Herpes that
are of any interest to me is practically NIL.  What do you say to that?
There are few organizations that are around much less in town that cater
to this group of people. I feel confident that if I could convince my
friend that she (there, I let it slip) is not alone, I'm sure she would
lead a somewhat more happier life (or at least less depressing).
Scott
p.s. Yeah, she's tried Palo Alto and the local Crisis Center (oh, and
good ol' Planned Parenthood). Creams and sympathy don't do a lot...

spaf@gatech.UUCP (06/10/83)

If your friend feels that the only thing she has to offer in a
relationship is sexual contact (and thus the risk of infection)
....think about what she's saying.  That is definitely indicative
of a depressed personality with a poor self-image.  Telling
her that there are many instances of couples who have been
together for years with one person avoiding getting infected
by the other (love and latex work miracles) will not help her.

First step to being loved by another is to love yourself.
She needs to realize she has more to offer.  There are many
moments in my life that I would give almost anything for just
a sincere hug, and virtually everyone is capable of that.

One of my favorite quotes is by Robert Louis Stevenson:
	No man is useless who has a friend,
	and if we are loved we are indispensible.

Let your friend know that, at the very least, she is not useless.
-- 
"The soapbox of Gene Spafford"

Spaf @ GATech		        (CS Net)
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