While having active psoriasis isn’t anything to be ashamed of, many people find that getting effective treatment for their psoriasis is an important way to help reduce any emotional impact. Here are some other strategies to consider.
Optimize your psoriasis treatment. “Meaningful skin clearance improves quality of life and reduces depression and anxiety,” says Kim. Biologic drugs have transformed psoriasis in this regard, she says, making skin clearance a realistic goal for many people. “Advocating for effective treatment is both dermatologic and psychological care,” Kim says.
Have a script. In some situations, you may want to have a speech ready to explain your psoriasis to anyone who may treat it with suspicion, such as a hairdresser, gym goer, or coworker. “Helping individuals understand psoriasis as a chronic inflammatory skin condition, rather than a contagious infection, can meaningfully reduce shame,” says Yeh.
Choose comfortable clothing. Your clothing choices can affect your confidence when you have psoriasis. It’s usually a good idea to wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing, and you can also choose colors or patterns that help hide or distract from any skin flakes or visible areas of affected skin. What’s more, “wearing loose-fitting clothing made of soft breathable fabrics can reduce the risk of new lesion development,” Yeh says, since skin friction or irritation can contribute to this process.
Practice self-care. Activities that boost your overall confidence can be beneficial even if they’re not directly related to psoriasis. You might want to try these ideas:
- Recreational sports and activities like walking, hiking, pickleball, and team sports
- Mind-calming practices like yoga, meditation, and journaling
- Avoiding social media feeds that make you feel bad about your body
- Spending time with people who accept you and understand your psoriasis
Seek peer support. Connecting with other people with psoriasis can also help, even if those people don’t live near you. Online forums, like those from the Psoriasis Association, let you read or discuss experiences, treatment options, and more. And the National Psoriasis Foundation offers a peer support program called One to One, which pairs you with a mentor who also has psoriasis or a related condition.
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