How did your doctor handle your herpes diagnosis?

When I was diagnosed, the nurse at my college health center basically told me 3 things:

• This is almost certainly herpes but we’ll wait for the swab results • This is a permanent STD • I don’t know if your boyfriend cheated on you since herpes can be dormant

She sent me on my way with a printout about genital herpes and some tissues because I was crying. I was a college kid and was not provided with any type of support for my lifelong diagnosis that the medical community knows causes significant emotional distress.

It seems like every person has a different experience - some doctors say it’s not a big deal, some even tell people they don’t have to disclose, etc.

What was your diagnosis like and do you think mental health support should be offered/encouraged?