Feeling Worried?

STI testing can bring up feelings of worry and anxiety. You may worry about what will happen if you have an STI, or how to talk to your sex partner(s). Sometimes you might find this worry interfering with your day-to-day life.

Here are some suggestions to help you get through the time until you get your test results. You can find more information on our Resources page. 

• Stop looking for more answers on the internet: Searching online can often make anxiety worse because there can be information that is outdated or incorrect.
  

• Try deep breathing and breath counting: Bring your attention to your breath; breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. As you breathe in, push the air down deep into your stomach. Slow down and count the rhythm of your breath.
  

• Affirmations: Affirmations are simple statements to focus your mind, help you stay calm, and reduce negative emotions. For example, “I am worried, but I can be calm”, or “I am worried, but the doctor said I was fine”. It can help to combine affirmations with deep breathing.

• Thought stopping: Thought stopping will give you control over negative thoughts. When you become aware that you are worrying, say STOP in your mind or even out loud, if it’s appropriate.  Take a deep breath and visualize yourself gathering up negative thoughts and blowing them out with your breath, say to yourself: “blow it away” or “let it go, take another deep breath and say your affirmation.

• Make a worry plan: Write out these strategies on a business card that you keep in your wallet or nearby so it is easy to find when you need it.