In my last post we talked about how having a chronic skin condition such as acne, psoriasis,or eczema can be associated with having depression.  It is bad enough to have one or the other condition but to have both at the same time can leave one feeling hopeless and frustrated. The good news is that there are effective ways to treat both conditions and also find ways to cope in the meantime.

One of the ways to prevent depression from developing or getting out of control is to recognize the signs that we are becoming depressed. Once we identify our symptoms as being caused by depression then we can begin to take action to treat them. The National Institute of Mental Health list the following as possible symptoms of depression. Remember that no two individuals will experience depression in the same way. But if you are experiencing several or more of these symptoms for a duration of two weeks or more it is suggested that you seek help from a qualified mental help therapist.

Depression Symptoms

• Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" feelings

• Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism

• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness

• Irritability, restlessness

• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex

• Fatigue and decreased energy

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions

• Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping

• Overeating, or appetite loss

• Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts

• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment

Getting help for your depression and/or anxiety may improve your skin condition. Feeling emotionally low can disrupt our immune system and may leave you more susceptible to flare ups. Stress is also one of the known triggers for a worsening of chronic skin diseases and especially for psoriasis, eczema and acne.  In one of the largest studies ever to be conducted on the association between acne and stress, researchers from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that teens who were under high levels of stress were 23 percent more likely to have more severe acne as a result. There does seem to be a clear connection between how we feel emotionally and how our skin responds. If we take steps to feel more mentally healthy it is logical to assume that it can only increase our ability to cope with managing a skin disease and may also have the extra benefit of decreasing the potential for flare ups.

In addition to getting treatment for any mental health issues, here are some other ways to cope with having a chronic skin disease:

• Research as much as you can about your skin condition. This is going to give you more ideas for preventing flare ups, managing your condition in the day to day, and also provide information about possible treatment options. We can help you here on My Skin Care Connection with resources and informational articles about your particular skin problem.