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Key TakeawaysMillions of Americans deal with chronic skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.While the physical symptoms are clear, the psychological impact can be less obvious.Research links psoriasis and eczema to anxiety and depression, but support groups, positive self-talk, and educating yourself can ease the struggle.

Key Takeaways

Millions of Americans deal with chronic skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.While the physical symptoms are clear, the psychological impact can be less obvious.Research links psoriasis and eczema to anxiety and depression, but support groups, positive self-talk, and educating yourself can ease the struggle.

Thirty-two million Americans deal with some form of eczema, and 7.5 million have psoriasis.While these conditions come with obvious physical symptoms, the mental impact of dealing with achronicskin condition can be just as severe. With August being National Psoriasis Awareness Month, it’s important to understand how skin conditions can affect our mental health.

Research has shown that stress and mental struggle are significantly associated with skin issues.

One study conducted across 13 European countries evaluated the burden of skin disease and found both psoriasis and hand eczema diagnoses had a significant association withdepressionandanxiety, and psoriasis was significantly associated with suicidal ideation.

Psoriasis is also linked to other difficult emotions. One study found that increased anger levels and reduced self-esteem are remarkable in individuals with psoriasis.

As research shows, the relationship between skin conditions and negative emotions is cyclical, as distress can spark flareups in skin conditions, which can then fuel further distress.

Lauren, lives with eczemaHaving an ugly skin disorder is embarrassing to be out in public, especially around people you don’t know. You feel uncomfortable, like people are judging you.

Lauren, lives with eczema

Having an ugly skin disorder is embarrassing to be out in public, especially around people you don’t know. You feel uncomfortable, like people are judging you.

There is also a neuroimmunological link between psoriasis and depression through immune system mechanisms and melatonin.While this biological connection is clear, some of the ties between the two have more to do with self-perception.

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Psychological Impact

WhileLiia Ramachandra, PharmD, acknowledges that there is a physiological link between skin conditions and depression or anxiety,she also notes a psychological connection, as well. Having lived with psoriasis herself for many years, she understands the mental impact firsthand.

Lauren, who deals with eczema breakouts, says that because the physical pain of the condition alone can keep you from doing things you love, feelings ofhopelessnessand worthlessness can creep up, as well.

“It can make you feel jealous of people around you,” Lauren says. “Having an ugly skin disorder is embarrassing to be out in public, especially around people you don’t know. You feel uncomfortable, like people are judging you or they’re worried you could spread a disease to them. You feel alone, no one can really understand your physical and mental pain you are going through.”

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“I could not find any products out there that did not make my red spots worse,” she says. “Even the super expensive, labeled ‘clean’ products, started to give me a rash and redness. At certain times, I could not use anything on my face.”

Liia Ramachandra, PharmDEvery day is a new day. Stress relief and self-acceptance is something that is definitely helping with psoriasis but that is sometimes hard to achieve.

Liia Ramachandra, PharmD

Every day is a new day. Stress relief and self-acceptance is something that is definitely helping with psoriasis but that is sometimes hard to achieve.

“It can be hard scrolling through the internet seeing nothing but flawless photos, thinking you’ll never look or be like that person, even though you know in reality that most of it is all photoshop filters,” she says.

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Tools To Cope

On the other hand, Lauren notes, certain corners of the internet can be great sources of support. Online support groups and Facebook groups dedicated to certain conditions can be helpful when feelings of depression or anxiety creep up.

Using the internet as an educational tool can be helpful, as well. Learning as much as possible about your condition via credible sources, Lauren says, can lead to a feeling of greater control. And you may discover new solutions to the issues you’re experiencing.

Focusing on what you can control is important. For example, Ramachandra starts each day with yoga and swimming in order to start the day in a positive state of mind. She also recommends positive self-talk and surrounding yourself only with people that love and accept you as you are.

“It is a constant struggle and every day is a new day,” Ramachandra says. “Stress relief and self-acceptance is something that is definitely helping with psoriasis but that is sometimes hard to achieve.”

Depending on the severity of a condition, meeting with a specialist should also be on the list of self-care practices. Professionals can help determine potential triggers and provide further solutions and coping mechanisms. But it’s important to keep in mind that some fixes aren’t quick or permanent, so be realistic with your expectations.

“Recognize you’ll have good days and bad days,” Lauren says. “Try not to be hard on yourself on the bad days, let yourself rest when you need to.”

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5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Penn Medicine.Eczema vs. psoriasis: Similarities, differences and treatments.Jafferany M, Pastolero P.Psychiatric and psychological impact of chronic skin disease.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2018;20(2). doi:10.4088/PCC.17nr02247Dalgard FJ, Gieler U, Tomas-Aragones L, et al.The psychological burden of skin diseases: A cross-sectional multicenter study among dermatological out-patients in 13 European countries.J Invest Dermatol. 2015;135(4):984-991. doi:10.1038/jid.2014.530Aydin E, Atis G, Bolu A, et al.Identification of anger and self-esteem in psoriasis patients in a consultation-liaison psychiatry setting: A case control study.Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2017;27(3):216-220. doi:10.1080/24750573.2017.1326740Tohid H, Aleem D, Jackson C.Major depression and psoriasis: A psychodermatological phenomenon.Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2016;29(4):220-230. doi:10.1159/000448122

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Penn Medicine.Eczema vs. psoriasis: Similarities, differences and treatments.Jafferany M, Pastolero P.Psychiatric and psychological impact of chronic skin disease.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2018;20(2). doi:10.4088/PCC.17nr02247Dalgard FJ, Gieler U, Tomas-Aragones L, et al.The psychological burden of skin diseases: A cross-sectional multicenter study among dermatological out-patients in 13 European countries.J Invest Dermatol. 2015;135(4):984-991. doi:10.1038/jid.2014.530Aydin E, Atis G, Bolu A, et al.Identification of anger and self-esteem in psoriasis patients in a consultation-liaison psychiatry setting: A case control study.Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2017;27(3):216-220. doi:10.1080/24750573.2017.1326740Tohid H, Aleem D, Jackson C.Major depression and psoriasis: A psychodermatological phenomenon.Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2016;29(4):220-230. doi:10.1159/000448122

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Penn Medicine.Eczema vs. psoriasis: Similarities, differences and treatments.Jafferany M, Pastolero P.Psychiatric and psychological impact of chronic skin disease.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2018;20(2). doi:10.4088/PCC.17nr02247Dalgard FJ, Gieler U, Tomas-Aragones L, et al.The psychological burden of skin diseases: A cross-sectional multicenter study among dermatological out-patients in 13 European countries.J Invest Dermatol. 2015;135(4):984-991. doi:10.1038/jid.2014.530Aydin E, Atis G, Bolu A, et al.Identification of anger and self-esteem in psoriasis patients in a consultation-liaison psychiatry setting: A case control study.Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2017;27(3):216-220. doi:10.1080/24750573.2017.1326740Tohid H, Aleem D, Jackson C.Major depression and psoriasis: A psychodermatological phenomenon.Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2016;29(4):220-230. doi:10.1159/000448122

Penn Medicine.Eczema vs. psoriasis: Similarities, differences and treatments.

Jafferany M, Pastolero P.Psychiatric and psychological impact of chronic skin disease.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2018;20(2). doi:10.4088/PCC.17nr02247

Dalgard FJ, Gieler U, Tomas-Aragones L, et al.The psychological burden of skin diseases: A cross-sectional multicenter study among dermatological out-patients in 13 European countries.J Invest Dermatol. 2015;135(4):984-991. doi:10.1038/jid.2014.530

Aydin E, Atis G, Bolu A, et al.Identification of anger and self-esteem in psoriasis patients in a consultation-liaison psychiatry setting: A case control study.Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2017;27(3):216-220. doi:10.1080/24750573.2017.1326740

Tohid H, Aleem D, Jackson C.Major depression and psoriasis: A psychodermatological phenomenon.Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2016;29(4):220-230. doi:10.1159/000448122

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