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Psoriasis and You
Even though it is not easy to have psoriasis, it's completely possible to live a positive and fulfilling life with the condition. I know because I have done so, having had psoriasis for over 30 years. Although over 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, many people are not fully aware of the seriousness and severity of this skin disease and its symptoms.
Psoriasis is a non-contagious, chronic disease of the auto-immune system. In normal skin, cells replicate and slough off once every 28 days. In the typical psoriasis patient, skin cells turn over once every 3- 4 days, red lesions occur on the body, with silvery scales that flake off. The results are noticeable and are not a pretty sight; this can have a devastating impact on a person's appearance and feelings of self-worth. Patients tell stories of extreme negative reactions from others, including shunning, loss of friends, and exclusion from settings, like swimming pools, hair-care salons, and gyms. Many patients cover up to hide the condition, and feel isolated and lonely as a result.
At the National Psoriasis Foundation, we are well aware of the devastating psycho-social implications of psoriasis. We urge patients to learn more about their psoriasis, to discuss these issues with their dermatologist, to talk to our patient educators, to join a support group, or to sign up for a one-on-one peer mentor. I encourage you to visit the Foundation website www.psoriasis.org for more information and guidance.
These consequences affect all ages of psoriasis patients, and as you can imagine, are particularly difficult for children. I would like members of the community to report on their own experiences, from childhood or later, and to provide specific examples of comebacks or other defense mechanisms they've developed to cope with hurtful or thoughtless comments. Although my disease onset occurred in my 20s, I have found the best and most disarming response is to tell a commenter what I have and to educate them about the disease.
To further discuss psoriasis with me, here are some questions to consider:
a. Have you been abandoned by a good friend due to your skin condition?
b. Have people you don't know commented on your disease? What did you say in response?
c. How do you combat the isolation that you may have experienced?
d. Have support groups been helpful to you?
Psoriasis is a non-contagious, chronic disease of the auto-immune system. In normal skin, cells replicate and slough off once every 28 days. In the typical psoriasis patient, skin cells turn over once every 3- 4 days, red lesions occur on the body, with silvery scales that flake off. The results are noticeable and are not a pretty sight; this can have a devastating impact on a person's appearance and feelings of self-worth. Patients tell stories of extreme negative reactions from others, including shunning, loss of friends, and exclusion from settings, like swimming pools, hair-care salons, and gyms. Many patients cover up to hide the condition, and feel isolated and lonely as a result.
At the National Psoriasis Foundation, we are well aware of the devastating psycho-social implications of psoriasis. We urge patients to learn more about their psoriasis, to discuss these issues with their dermatologist, to talk to our patient educators, to join a support group, or to sign up for a one-on-one peer mentor. I encourage you to visit the Foundation website www.psoriasis.org for more information and guidance.
These consequences affect all ages of psoriasis patients, and as you can imagine, are particularly difficult for children. I would like members of the community to report on their own experiences, from childhood or later, and to provide specific examples of comebacks or other defense mechanisms they've developed to cope with hurtful or thoughtless comments. Although my disease onset occurred in my 20s, I have found the best and most disarming response is to tell a commenter what I have and to educate them about the disease.
To further discuss psoriasis with me, here are some questions to consider:
a. Have you been abandoned by a good friend due to your skin condition?
b. Have people you don't know commented on your disease? What did you say in response?
c. How do you combat the isolation that you may have experienced?
d. Have support groups been helpful to you?
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Psoriasis and YouEven though it is not easy to have psoriasis, it's completely possible to live a positive and fulfilling life with the condition. I know because I have done so, having had psoriasis for over 30 years. Although over 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, many people are not fully aware of the seriousness and severity of this skin disease and its symptoms. <br />Psoriasis is a non-contagious, chronic disease of the auto-immune system. In normal skin, cells replicate and slough off once every 28 days. In the typical psoriasis patient, skin cells turn over once every 3- 4 days, red lesions occur on the body, with silvery scales that flake off. The results are noticeable and are not a pretty sight; this can have a devastating impact on a person's appearance and feelings of self-worth. Patients tell stories of extreme negative reactions from others, including shunning, loss of friends, and exclusion from settings, like swimming pools, hair-care salons, and gyms. Many patients cover up to hide the condition, and feel isolated and lonely as a result. <br />At the National Psoriasis Foundation, we are well aware of the devastating psycho-social implications of psoriasis. We urge patients to learn more about their psoriasis, to discuss these issues with their dermatologist, to talk to our patient educators, to join a support group, or to sign up for a one-on-one peer mentor. I encourage you to visit the Foundation website <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.psoriasis.org/">www.psoriasis.org</a> for more information and guidance.<br />These consequences affect all ages of psoriasis patients, and as you can imagine, are particularly difficult for children. I would like members of the community to report on their own experiences, from childhood or later, and to provide specific examples of comebacks or other defense mechanisms they've developed to cope with hurtful or thoughtless comments. Although my disease onset occurred in my 20s, I have found the best and most disarming response is to tell a commenter what I have and to educate them about the disease.<br />To further discuss psoriasis with me, here are some questions to consider:<br />a. Have you been abandoned by a good friend due to your skin condition?<br />b. Have people you don't know commented on your disease? What did you say in response?<br />c. How do you combat the isolation that you may have experienced?<br />d. Have support groups been helpful to you?
Followells responded:
Thank you so much for educating people! You asked for personal experiences, so I thought I would tell you how I usually respond to on-lookers. First, I am sure you are well aware of the fact that if you have anything out of the ordinary about your appearance, you can almost certainly feel the unspoken curiosity or distain from people. I break the ice. When I find myself being non-verbally judged by my psoriasis, I quickly and proudly say: "I'm not contagious. I just have overactive skin cells - I'm an over-achiever!" Using this light-hearted tone, it quickly relaxes the atmosphere for all involved. I do not hesitate after the first sentence ("I'm not contagious)," because they will interject uncomfortable awkward niceties, as they are backing away in disbelief. I think this quick little phrase educates without "bringing the room down."
I still try to hide my psoriasis for a number of reasons. Public opinion is one reason (I find that I am treated much better when my rash is not showing), however, protecting it is the main reason.
Thanks again for your article (from one over-achiever to another!)
I still try to hide my psoriasis for a number of reasons. Public opinion is one reason (I find that I am treated much better when my rash is not showing), however, protecting it is the main reason.
Thanks again for your article (from one over-achiever to another!)
Report This| Share this:Psoriasis and YouThank you so much for educating people! You asked for personal experiences, so I thought I would tell you how I usually respond to on-lookers. First, I am sure you are well aware of the fact that if you have anything out of the ordinary about your appearance, you can almost certainly feel the unspoken curiosity or distain from people. I break the ice. When I find myself being non-verbally judged by my psoriasis, I quickly and proudly say: "I'm not contagious. I just have overactive skin cells - I'm an over-achiever!" Using this light-hearted tone, it quickly relaxes the atmosphere for all involved. I do not hesitate after the first sentence ("I'm not contagious)," because they will interject uncomfortable awkward niceties, as they are backing away in disbelief. I think this quick little phrase educates without "bringing the room down."<br />I still try to hide my psoriasis for a number of reasons. Public opinion is one reason (I find that I am treated much better when my rash is not showing), however, protecting it is the main reason. <br />Thanks again for your article (from one over-achiever to another!)
Followells - Your suggestion is an excellent way to deal with others. What I like is that you use a sense of humor to reduce the tension with your light-hearted tone. As I mentioned in my post, I have found that a quick education works well, and frequently they know someone with the disease.
It is unfortunate (but regrettably not hard to believe) that you feel that you are treated better when the lesions are not visible.
It is unfortunate (but regrettably not hard to believe) that you feel that you are treated better when the lesions are not visible.
Report This| Share this:Psoriasis and YouFollowells - Your suggestion is an excellent way to deal with others. What I like is that you use a sense of humor to reduce the tension with your light-hearted tone. As I mentioned in my post, I have found that a quick education works well, and frequently they know someone with the disease. <br /> <br />It is unfortunate (but regrettably not hard to believe) that you feel that you are treated better when the lesions are not visible.
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