For some people, getting a small cold sore every couple of years is a nuisance, but not really that big of a deal. But for other people – individuals who get several cold sores a year – this can be a major source of psychological pain.
From the time I was 15 to 34, I would experience cold sores to some degree.
During many of those years, I would have an average of 4-6 cold sores per year, with each one taking about 10-14 days to completely heal.
It was so horrible.
There were multiple years of my life in my late teens and early 20’s where I had cold sores on my lips for approximately two months out of every year.
It was no way to live…especially considering the fact that my cold sores were typically large and disgusting.
This led to multiple and severe psychological issues for me.
Psychological Issues From Cold Sores
During my late teenage years and early 20’s, when I was supposed to be out there mingling with members of the opposite sex, I instead avoided females like the plague. My biggest fear would be to get a girlfriend, then two months later, get a giant and gross cold sore on my lip.
Along with hiding from females, I also developed severe anxiety.
Cold sores weren’t all that bad when I was hiding in my bedroom by myself…however, I didn’t get to do that much. I still had to go to work.
Going to work with a cold sore was painful for me.
Even though most people wouldn’t say anything about it, I could tell they were either looking at my cold sore, or they tried to not look at my cold sore.
Either way, it made me feel anxious.
In public I would suffer from anxiety, and at home, alone, I would endure massive depression. Part of the depression was from having a gross cold sore on my lip, and part of the depression was from feeling helpless.
Sometimes I would get cold sores from being in the sun too much, or from being under a lot of stress.
Other times I would get cold sores from my immune system being compromised.
However, there were many times that I would feel healthy, and I would wake up one morning with a new cold sore developing.
I just didn’t know what to do.
The internet was very new back then, and there wasn’t a lot of helpful information online at that time.
So I continued to endure the cold sore outbreaks, and I continued to endure psychological trauma.
Here are the common psychological issues I had from cold sores:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Guilt
- Shame
- Low self-esteem
- Feelings of unworthiness
Over the years, slowly, I learned about effective tactics I could use to prevent cold sores. I also learned of many effective remedies for treating cold sores once they were starting to appear on my lip.
Luckily, I made a complete recovery.
I haven’t had a cold sore in over three years now, and I don’t think I’ll ever get one again.
If for some reason a cold sore does start to develop, I know exactly how to make it go away within 24 hours, before it becomes a visible blister.
My life is absolutely amazing nowadays.
I have a beautiful daughter, I’m with the woman of my dreams, I’m confident, happy, fulfilled…and I no longer have to suffer from cold sore sore outbreaks.
Jennifer says
I just stumbled across your website. I really appreciate you sharing your stories. I’m new to the cold sores receiving my first one last month and I’m on my second one this month. I’m looking forward to trying all of your suggestions. Education is key!
Matt says
Hi Jennifer,
I’m SO stoked you found my website so early on after starting to get cold sores. This resource will help you prevent them and treat them fast so you don’t have to suffer for decades as I did! And you’re right…education is key! Take care. ????
Anthanette B Thomas says
Matt I understand quite well what you have shared. I get cold sores a lot. As I am writing I have a dsigusting cold sore in the corner of my mouth. It is very ugly and I have to start my summer job tomorrow. Yes, it is embarrassing and it feels like people are looking at the cold sore instead of me.
I have spent so much money o try to get rid and prevent this from happening to me, but of course I haven’t been successful. Thanks for sharing your story.
Anthanette