Although psoriasis affects around 7.5 million Americans, many people do not know what the condition is and how it affects daily life and even mental health.
During Psoriasis Awareness Month in August, organizations like the National Psoriasis Foundation are spreading information about the condition, including its impact on women. The foundation even sponsored a “Life With Psoriasis” photo contest last year.
According to the foundation’s website, psoriasis is defined as a “chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin.”
“It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells,” the website states. It’s important to keep in mind that psoriasis is not contagious.
The most common kind is called plaque psoriasis. Symptoms include “raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells.”
For women, psoriasis could complicate pregnancy and nursing. The foundation website noted that psoriasis can impact women’s emotions as well, considering the pressure on women to look “beautiful” despite our society’s narrow definition of beauty.
Dr. Tolu Olupona, an assistant clinical professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, said in an email that people with psoriasis do tend to suffer more than people without psoriasis from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms and suicidal thoughts.
“People with psoriasis are dealing with a chronic medical condition,” Olupona said. “The symptoms can cause physical pain and distress. There is also a lot of social stigma, which then affects the patient’s functioning in society.”
A lot of emotional pain can come from other peoples’ reactions to the condition.
“Onlookers may stare with curiosity at plaques on skin, elevating individual’s self-consciousness, which can increase anxiety level,” she said. “Patients with psoriasis report discrimination at public places including swimming pools, gyms and nails salons.”
“In some cases, psoriasis affects peoples choices regarding when and if to go to certain events, what to wear to the event, will people stare or ask questions,” Olupona added.
Dr. Indy Chabra, a board-certified dermatologist, said in an email that the mental health consequences of psoriasis, which can include low self-esteem, social avoidance and negative body image, can then lead to issues at school and work.
Consequences can even go so far as to harm intimacy in relationships and sometimes lead to alcoholism, smoking and obesity (used as coping tools).
Chabra added that mental health issues might be more common in adolescents, children and people with low income, since they don’t have as much support to cope with the condition.
“Anxiety is also heightened in parents of children with psoriasis, especially during the summer months when mothers will cry in the office relating how their son won't wear shorts or go swimming because of how the other children react to him,” Chabra said.
“As you know, the sun can help alleviate psoriasis.”
One way to cope with psoriasis is to turn to a support network. This could include a dermatologist, specialist, organizations and mental health professional, as well as family members.
“Psoriasis has a genetic component and many patients tell me that after being diagnosed, they asked other family members about psoriasis and unbeknownst to them, several of them did have psoriasis,” Chabra said.
“This gives patients a lot of comfort and some confidence.”
Hannah Marr, a Baltimore-based blogger, online marketer and entrepreneur, said in an email that she has suffered from psoriasis for almost three years.
“Strangers often don't recognize the condition and are put-off by the sight of it, which can be very hurtful,” Marr said. “It can also be very depressing to not be able to show off your body and wear the kind of clothes that you want.”
“When my psoriasis was at its worst, it covered my shins and when I went back to school at the end of August, the weather was about as hot as it gets in Maryland, so
there was no hope for me to wear jeans or leggings for a while,” she added.
However, she had a strong support system, so it was easier for her to cope despite the shame and embarrassment she felt. She uses a topical ointment to treat her condition, and her shins have been clear for about two years, which has improved her comfort and confidence.
Sources:
National Psoriasis Foundation. Psoriasis Awareness Month. Web. July 31, 2013.
http://www.psoriasisawarenessmonth.org
National Psoriasis Foundation. About psoriasis. Web. July 31, 2013.
https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis
National Psoriasis Foundation. Women and Psoriasis. Web. July 31, 2013.
https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/women-and-psoriasis
Olupona, Tolu. Email interview. July 31, 2013.
http://www.mountsinai.org/profiles/tolulope-olupona
Chabra, Indy. Email interview. July 31, 2013.
https://www.skinmdnow.com
Marr, Hannah. Email interview. July 31, 2013.
http://www.bemorethrifty.blogspot.com
Reviewed August 1, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith