September 12, 2024
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that affects over 7.5 million adults in the United States. It’s a chronic condition that currently has no cure.
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type, accounting for 80 to 90 percent of cases. It occurs when your immune system goes into overdrive, causing your body to produce new skin cells faster than needed. These extra skin cells pile up, creating thick, scaly patches on your skin.
Psoriasis often causes people to feel stressed about their appearance, which can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, making their psoriasis even worse.
While there’s no cure for psoriasis, there are treatments that can help. Common treatments include moisturizers, creams, ointments, lotions, shampoos, and medication. Light therapy and immune therapies are also effective treatment options.
Psoriasis doesn’t just affect your skin—it can also weigh heavily on your mental well-being. In fact, people with psoriasis are twice as likely to experience depression, and up to 48 percent may struggle with anxiety.
Dealing with painful, itchy plaques and feeling self-conscious about your appearance can understandably take a toll on your mental health. But it’s not just about how you feel physically and emotionally; there’s a biological factor also at play.
The overactive immune response in psoriasis can influence your brain’s chemicals, which can lead to both depression and anxiety. This can create a vicious cycle: Feeling depressed and anxious can make it harder to manage psoriasis, and worsening psoriasis symptoms can fuel anxiety and depression.
The negative loop caused by psoriasis can be a difficult to manage; but being aware of the signs and knowing what to do can stop that cycle in its tracks.
While you may not be able to control everything that stresses you out, you can take steps to keep stress in check by accepting things you can’t change, exercising regularly, spending time with loved ones, and doing things you enjoy.
If your psoriasis has led to anxiety or depressions, there are treatment options that can offer both hope and relief from your symptoms. Some psoriasis medications can improve your mood, and certain antidepressants may help with your skin as well.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also be a game-changer, helping you manage negative thoughts and improve both your mental health and your skin. Other mind-body techniques, such as meditation, also may help you combat depression, which in turn can help you cope with your psoriasis better.
Living with psoriasis can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. However, understanding the connection between stress, mental health, and psoriasis is the first step toward breaking the cycle. By managing stress and seeking appropriate treatments for both your skin and mental health, you can significantly improve your quality of life.
