Psoriasis and depression, a scourge more common than we think. Plates, scales, redness, psoriasis is a skin disease that can concentrate on specific areas of the body (knees, elbows, scalp) or spread over the entire body. The lesions can be very apparent, to the point of being disabling.
In addition to the physical impact, psoriasis can have a real impact on quality of life, with psychological repercussions and difficulties in accepting oneself and others. Let's try to understand together this link between psoriasis and depression.
Psoriasis is frequently associated with depression, but also with other emotional and psychological disorders. According to one study, approximately 62% of psoriasis patients report significant psychiatric symptoms, such as depression (1).
According to the National Psoriasis Association, patients who have psoriasis have a 39% chance of developing depression, a 31% chance of being anxious, and a 44% chance of experiencing suicidal thoughts (2). These figures are even more important in cases of severe psoriasis. We are then talking about a 72% risk of showing signs of depression.
Psoriasis patients victims of discrimination
Psoriasis is a little-known disease
Today, psoriasis is a disease that is still little known to the general public. 2,4 million French people suffer from it (3). 60 new cases are reported each year, but not all of them are diagnosed and treated. Psoriasis is the subject of many prejudices and remains a subject that is little talked about.
Some people think that psoriasis is a contagious illness. People get scared by the sight of scaly patches and redness. It is therefore obviously not easy to accept such a pathology, some prefer to live the illness in silence. This is an area on which the France Psoriasis association and many Laboratories are trying to combat. With the aim of democratizing this skin disease through photos, awareness campaigns and events. Bringing this skin disease to light allows many patients not to feel alone, to change the way others see them and to accept the disease.
Psoriasis and depression: physical and emotional discomfort
The skin is the most visible organ. So, anything that affects your skin will have a considerable influence on your well-being. Psoriasis begins with skin rashes, patches of whitish scales, redness and itching.
Most people with psoriasis feel physically self-conscious about the appearance of their skin. In our society, physical appearance is a very important criterion. Thus, the slightest defect is considered an anomaly, the reaction of others and judgments on physical appearance are numerous.
This physical impact causes a heavy emotional burden. It can manifest as depression, low self-esteem, negative body image, feelings of shame, anxiety and loneliness. Stares and mockery of your appearance can have a considerable impact on your well-being. Many people with psoriasis deprive themselves of all social activities and are victims of discrimination in the professional environment.
The difficult equation of psoriasis and intimacy
According to two studies conducted in 2017, nearly 35% of loved ones said their relationships with family members with psoriasis were deteriorating, and around 35% of people with the disease feel unattractive and have difficulty dating. maintain intimate relationships (5). Thus, patients find themselves alone in the face of the illness and this is when a phase of depression can begin.
Impact of psoriasis in professional life
According to the PsoPRO survey conducted by the France Psoriasis Association (6), the impact of psoriasis on professional life is considerable. Indeed, “up to 70% of people with psoriasis have already experienced teasing about their physical appearance in the workplace, 38% of workers with moderate to severe skin psoriasis have already experienced a career blockage and 31% have already been dismissed or have not had their employment contract renewed.” Alarming figures showing the urgency of putting an end to this stigma and changing the way we look at this skin disease.
Psoriasis: a chronic disease that cannot be cured
Psoriasis at present cannot be cured. Pharmaceutical, natural or medical treatments all have the same objective: to whiten psoriasis, to make the traces disappear (more or less). But it is a chronic disease, the course of which is unpredictable: phases of remission can be followed by phases of recurrence (or regrowth of psoriasis).
The fact that remission is not entirely guaranteed whatever the treatment and that a new relapse may occur can be a trigger for depression. Depression can be so severe that you become completely discouraged in treating it and give up on it.
Stress and psoriasis: a vicious circle
Treating psoriasis, and the associated symptoms, represents a real struggle in trying to reduce psoriasis. This can result in strong anxiety and nervousness. According to one study, 45% of people with psoriasis suffer from anxiety (6). The presence of visible plaques on your body can lead to concerns about your physical appearance. Fear of the gaze of others and of recurrence phases can thus cause stress and nervousness, which can add to daily stress, itself a factor triggering outbreaks of psoriasis plaques.
Feeling listened to and supported when you have psoriasis
It is important not to minimize the impact of your illness, talk about it with your doctor who is there to listen to you! It is important to recognize your illness, accepting it is a first step in treatment.
Depression, for some, leads to alcohol, the effects on psoriasis are obviously harmful. It can also lead to bulimia, although it is appropriate to pay even more attention to yourself in times of weakness. When it comes to psoriasis and obesity, what is the link between these two diseases? In fact, it can be tenuous, but one can also encourage the other and vice versa.
Share your experience around psoriasis
Sharing your experience and talking with other people with psoriasis is important in treatment. You will feel heard and understood, and you may be able to discover other remedies to treat this illness. Numerous Facebook groups, forums and branches exist to exchange with other patients and/or disease professionals.
The France Psoriasis association has a telephone number available every day at 01.42.39.02.55. It also has regional delegates whom you can meet without appointment during office hours and upon registration during Café Pso. Find more information on this subject on their Grand Site website.
As soon as we talk about it, we quickly realize that many people around us are affected by this disease. Sylvie Méliet created Laboratoires LM Natura with the aim of sharing with as many people as possible the miracle treatment which helped her to disappear all traces of psoriasis: the Pso Natura Regenerative Complex.
This treatment is a medical device that has been proven to 94% effective on psoriasis. You too can act. There are more than 40 people using our care. Word of mouth is a remarkable tool, we encourage you to use it to share this fabulous secret of Nature. The suffering people that you can help will be grateful to you. Many of you have experienced our care like this; Let’s continue building a network of solidarity.
Furthermore, there are lots of tips to reduce your psoriasis on a daily basis, we also develop below some tips not to neglect.
We are at your service
Our customer service is at your disposal to discuss the disease and advise you on the best treatment. Do not hesitate to contact us by telephone on +33 (0) 2 57 64 07 59, we are available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 14 p.m.
You can also contact us by email at the following address:conseils@labosmascareignes.com. Do not hesitate to contact us, we are here to listen to you, help you and support you in this illness.
Our laboratories continue to discuss and share with you the fight against psoriasis. Watch our video talking about the loneliness and sometimes even depression that people have to face because of psoriasis by clicking on the following link here.
Some useful tips against psoriasis on a daily basis
Effectively fighting psoriasis is a daily task that does not just come down to taking treatment, natural or not, against psoriasis. Meditation and psoriasis go well together, that's for sure, in the sense that meditation helps soothe the soul. But there are precautions to take to avoid causing a crisis, in addition to stress management.
Psoriasis and hair removal, how to do ? Hair removal can cause skin irritation. Choose a gentle method.
Solar exposure, psoriasis and eczema: in a majority of patients, exposure to the sun is beneficial for traces of psoriasis. This is why psoriasis is sometimes treated with puvatherapy. On the other hand, exposure can also be dangerous in the event of abuse.
sources:
(1) Psoriasis-Contact
(2) National Psoriasis Foundation
(3)French Society of Dermatology
