Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder affecting people of all ages and races, with no preference for gender. Psoriasis produces red scaly patches on the scalp, elbows, and knees. It can be excruciating if psoriasis occurs in other body parts, such as the hands or feet. 1% of the population is suffering from this disease globally. (Source: World Health Organization)
People with a severe type of psoriasis are at higher risk to develop depression. Mental health can be affected by psoriasis. People who have this skin disease feel self-conscious and ashamed about their condition. A skin condition like psoriasis can interfere with daily activities. It is because people are often afraid of judgment, which will make them self-conscious about their appearance. Psoriasis affects the quality of life for those with this skin disease.
Common mental effects of psoriasis
Embarrassment or helplessness:
Psoriasis patients often feel guilty, ashamed, and embarrassed for their condition. They may also experience feelings of helplessness as a result of this skin disease.
Stress:
Psoriasis patients have reported that their skin condition has caused severe stress, contributing to mental disorders such as anxiety. (Source: NCBI)
Insecurity:
People with psoriasis sometimes avoid going out in the sun and being around others for fear of being judged. This can lead to feelings of insecurity because they feel alone most of the time. This sense of isolation is very unhealthy for your mental health.
Poor self-esteem:
Psoriasis causes feelings of inferiority or poor self-esteem. It is mainly because this skin condition influences how you look. This eventually affects your perception of yourself.
Suicidal ideation:
According to recent statistics, people who have psoriasis are twice as likely to think about suicide. (Source: World Health Organization) This is because psoriasis may affect their mental and physical health, particularly their self-confidence and self-esteem, leading to depression.
Depression:
Some studies suggest that individuals with moderate-to-severe psoriasis are more likely to develop depressive symptoms than healthy individuals or those who suffer from milder forms of this disease. (Source: NCBI)
People with psoriasis are reporting mental health problems at an increasing rate. (Source: NIH) The social stigma surrounding this disease still exists despite the high awareness of psoriasis. We should take mental health problems associated with psoriasis seriously because these can affect your psoriasis treatment.
What are the clinical symptoms of the mental effects of psoriasis?
- Fatigue
- Loss of interest in daily activities
- Feelings of guilt or low self-esteem
- Poor sleep caused by stress or depression
- Lack of appetite
The severity of these symptoms varies from person to person. However, there are some treatments like homeopathy that can help improve your situation. Homeopathic medicine is effective in treating psoriasis patients who also suffer from depression or anxiety. There are also other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which aims to teach individuals how to manage negative thoughts that contribute to their condition.
How we can improve the mental health of a psoriasis patient?
- Be an ally:
Inform the patient that you are there for them when they need support. Simply being a supportive friend can help deal with this skin condition.
- Educate them about psoriasis:
It’s essential to learn more about psoriasis and understand how it affects our loved ones. This will help you develop a plan on how to deal with the situation in a constructive way. It would help let your family member or friend know that their feelings matter to you and make sure they feel comfortable sharing their experiences.
- See a doctor on time:
If you think your loved one has suicidal thoughts, talk to them and take them to a homeopathic doctor immediately. He or she can provide counseling sessions to psoriasis patients. He or she can also prescribe homeopathic treatment for psoriasis, which will help balance patients’ mental health.
- Keep the lines of communication open:
This is important; to know what triggers your or your loved one’s psoriasis flares, as well as their feelings about having this skin condition. It is also worth remembering that if someone wants to talk. Sometimes, just being there and listening without judging can be helpful too.
- Explore alternative therapies:
Homeopathy effectively treats the mental problems of psoriasis patients who also suffer from depression and anxiety. It can be used as an adjunct therapy and other conventional treatments like phototherapy and topical medications like creams and ointments containing chemicals like coal tar, anthralin, corticosteroids, etc. The combination of these therapeutic options may help improve your overall condition without causing any side-effects.
If you have psoriasis and feel depressed, you need to visit a homeopathic clinic and consult an expert doctor immediately. He or she can treat both your physical symptoms and your mental problems caused by this skin condition.
