"My feelings are real": Recognizing your emotions
"I often wondered if I was mentally unbalanced because my psoriasis affected my self-esteem so much. My girlfriend didn't want to talk about it and said I was just vain. I couldn't understand why I was feeling so much anger and frustration when she saw it as no big deal."
–34-year-old man
It is not uncommon for people who have psoriasis to experience a sense of shock, confusion, anger or frustration about what is happening to their skin. This may give way to profound sadness or depression and affect their self-esteem. What is particularly difficult is that this range of feelings can recur throughout life because psoriasis is chronic. It tends to come and go, and just like the physical psoriasis lesions, the feelings that accompany psoriasis can wax and wane. Relationships, careers and self-worth can be strained if emotional responses are not addressed.
The way you recognize and respond to your emotions may determine how successfully you cope with having psoriasis. Family members, friends, doctors and nurses also need to understand the emotional side of having psoriasis and recognize it is a major part of living with the disease.
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