Hi Alison--
I am glad you would like to know more about hyperhidrosis-- it is a disorder that afflicts more than 9 million Americans, and there is so little awareness about what it is and what causes it.
I began having symptoms in early childhood, and grew up with the gradual realization that I was not like anyone else in my little world. Incredibly, it never occurred to me that I had a medical disorder. I was convinced I was a freak and concealed my sweating as best I could until at the age of 33 I heard the word "hyperhidrosis" for the first time. If you would like to read more about my story (because I could go on ad nauseum!), I encourage you to check out my blog (link is in my story), and in particular the category "Hiding in Plain Sight", listed right there on the header, that will further describe my life growing up with hyperhidrosis.
If I had to choose one word that encapsulates the experience of most people with hyperhidrosis, it would be "SHAME". Public awareness and compassion can change this, but I feel as though I am screaming into the wind.
To answer your other questions, I underwent surgery to alleviate my palmar sweating, but that is a very controversial treatment that I would not recommend to everyone. I overcame some of my social anxiety by addressing the sweating, but also by trying to be more open about it. This is a daily struggle, despite the fact that I write about it every day. In my life "offline", being open about my condition does not come easily after 43 years of hiding my shame-- but I am forcing myself.
In fact, I just "outed" myself to all my Facebook friends, which has been the most difficult move I've made to date. I blogged about that (of course) and that can be found on my blog page.
Sorry this is so long, but hyperhidrosis is a very complex subject!
Thanks again for your interest!
Charmaine
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Hi Alison--
I am glad you would like to know more about hyperhidrosis-- it is a disorder that afflicts more than 9 million Americans, and there is so little awareness about what it is and what causes it.
I began having symptoms in early childhood, and grew up with the gradual realization that I was not like anyone else in my little world. Incredibly, it never occurred to me that I had a medical disorder. I was convinced I was a freak and concealed my sweating as best I could until at the age of 33 I heard the word "hyperhidrosis" for the first time. If you would like to read more about my story (because I could go on ad nauseum!), I encourage you to check out my blog (link is in my story), and in particular the category "Hiding in Plain Sight", listed right there on the header, that will further describe my life growing up with hyperhidrosis.
If I had to choose one word that encapsulates the experience of most people with hyperhidrosis, it would be "SHAME". Public awareness and compassion can change this, but I feel as though I am screaming into the wind.
To answer your other questions, I underwent surgery to alleviate my palmar sweating, but that is a very controversial treatment that I would not recommend to everyone. I overcame some of my social anxiety by addressing the sweating, but also by trying to be more open about it. This is a daily struggle, despite the fact that I write about it every day. In my life "offline", being open about my condition does not come easily after 43 years of hiding my shame-- but I am forcing myself.
In fact, I just "outed" myself to all my Facebook friends, which has been the most difficult move I've made to date. I blogged about that (of course) and that can be found on my blog page.
Sorry this is so long, but hyperhidrosis is a very complex subject!
September 20, 2010 - 7:09amThanks again for your interest!
Charmaine
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