Psoriasis and My Mental Health + 5 Things You Can Do To Get In A Better Head Space

Through the years, I’ve come to terms that psoriasis is just something I have to live with. I’ve learned to love my body despite the red, rough, scaly plaques on my skin. It makes me unique. My body does so much for me on a daily basis, I have to treat it with kindness and not be ashamed of it. I noticed that once I changed my mindset, I felt more free and confident.

The First Years Of My Psoriasis Journey

Now, all this self-love didn’t just happen overnight. I was 13 when I was diagnosed with psoriasis. It started with some small red patches we didn’t think much of. It didn’t take long for my entire body to be covered in bloody, red plaques. I remember missing school a lot during the first year because of how painful it got.

My life seemed to change overnight. I was spending my days in and out of doctor offices, trying creams, sprays, lotions, & ointments that sometimes only caused me more pain and suffering. My parents would advise me not to scratch, since it would only make it worse. I’d cry to them saying I couldn’t control it. I remember crying a lot in the beginning. There were tons of sleepless nights spent crying & asking “why me?”

I spent months alone in my room, not wanting to see the world and not wanting the world to see me. The few times I would venture out of my room, I’d get stopped by people on the street wanting to diagnose & cure me. The question that always hurt the most was “is it contagious.” That would break my soul. I was a young girl, I wanted to be loved & accepted. Instead, I felt like I was unworthy of such a thing.

I think back to my younger self a lot, I remember how scared I was, how sad, and miserable I felt. I’m aware of how much I allowed it to dictate my life when I was younger and I do my best to not put myself in that situation again.

You’re Not Alone

I’m sharing my story with you because for years I felt alone, ashamed, anxious, & embarrassed. The anguish I felt day to day was debilitating. I was angry & frustrated that my own body had turned against me.

What I wasn’t aware of was how common it was for someone with psoriasis to suffer from depression, stress, or anxiety. During my many doctor visits, I don’t remember ever being asked about my mental health. I really feel that simple question would’ve helped me out immensely. Instead, I felt like I had to deal with my emotional turmoil all by myself.

You are one of the 125 million people living with psoriasis, you are not alone. There is an amazing community out there of people like you and me! If you haven’t yet, check out psoriasis.org. They have great resources and offer amazing support through their Patient Navigation Center. I’m so happy I found them, they make you feel like part of a great community and provide so much encouragement. I’ve had nothing but great experiences.

5 Things That Can Help Get You In A Better Head Space

1. Acknowledge your anxiety: Ignoring your anxiety doesn’t always work, it may even make you feel worse. Take a moment to figure out what it is that’s causing you to be anxious. Reinforce that negative thought with a positive one.
2. Focus on your breathing: Get in a comfortable position, stay still, close your eyes, inhale through your nose & exhale through your mouth. Deep breathing has been shown to promote calmness and alleviate anxiety.
3. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep: This was a big one for me. I never realized sleep deprivation was responsible for so much of my anxiety throughout the day. Develop some type of nighttime routine to encourage better sleeping habits. My holy grail for helping me fall & stay asleep was CBD oil from myeq.com.
4. Practice self-care: For me, self-care means cuddling up with my pup & watching The Office, taking him out on a walk to get some fresh breeze and sunlight, or dancing around & singing in the kitchen while I cook my favorite meal. Self-care can be anything that lights a spark in you, that helps you forget about your troubles. It can boost your confidence and help you better cope with anxiety.
5. Dress to impress (yourself): Get yourself ready in the mornings even when you have nowhere to go. That could simply mean getting out of your pj’s and into a t-shirt and jeans. Making an effort to look good helps you feel good about yourself and the day ahead & helps with the temptation of getting back in bed!

Final Thoughts

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t let my psoriasis affect my life anymore. I have my bad days just like anyone else. On those days, I allow myself to be sad or mad at that moment. I then remind myself that there is so much more to me than my psoriasis. Just know that things will get better, they always do.

Thank you for making it this far. This is my first blog post! It’s extra special because today we celebrate World Psoriasis Day. I wanted to share something truly near and dear to my heart, something I feel gets overlooked, the mental side effects of psoriasis. I’d love to hear from you. Has your psoriasis had any impact on your mental wellbeing? If so, what have you noticed helps ease your state of mind?

Image by Daria Shevtsova via www.pexels.com/@daria