My teenage years were psoriasis-free. I had clear skin almost all the time except for scrapes and scars. So really, into my young adulthood, I had to learn very fast how to not let this chronic disease get the best of me.
When the spots first appeared, I curled up into a turtle shell. As someone who typically showed a lot of skin, I began to hide it. I went from wearing T-shirts to long sleeves or gym pants when it was piping hot outside. I did it because I felt embarrassed.
But over time, like with anything, I got used to it. I got accustomed to my reality and stopped trying to hide this part of me that I’ll likely live with for the remainder of my life (not as dark as it sounds). The process of adaptation allowed me to accept and manage psoriasis more effectively.
As someone who enjoys traveling and attending music festivals, I have always been comfortable wearing tank tops, shorts, and being vulnerable. Depending on the setting I’m in, I will dress a certain way and cover up more of my sensitive areas. This adjustment helps me feel more at ease in various social situations.
When it came to the dating scene, I was transparent about how I dealt with psoriasis, and it never seemed to make a difference. It was mostly my self-esteem that I had to make sure was maintained. Despite the markings scattered on my body, I would often go through waves of it bothering me and others where it did not.
In the workplace, my psoriasis has been perceived as a rash but never something that truly concerned people. I handle comments or if I catch someone looking at an inflamed area by just smiling and then carrying on with what I was doing. Maintaining self-confidence in these situations is crucial.
One thing I would recommend to everyone is to boost your self-confidence. If that means exercising five times a week to feel better about yourself, then that’s what it takes. Psoriasis can cause you to have doubts about yourself or feel undeserving and, in some cases, very depressed.
Right off the bat, exercise can help your physical and mental well-being. I try to get several walks in throughout the day. I play basketball half the week and go jogging for the other half. Stretching and light yoga also help me with flexibility, especially since I’m not as limber as I was at 21. Simply taking care of your body and giving it a challenge minimizes the mental brain fog when times are tough.
The best thing we can do is continuously set new goals -- be it physical, financial, spiritual, or career-wise. Striving toward a goal has kept my stress under control. Currently, I’m out running or playing basketball, starting to hike and explore more of Washington state, focusing on my job, and engaging in creative outlets.
When the symptoms of psoriasis first appeared, I cried in front of the mirror. It definitely impacted my well-being and how I thought about myself at the time. Now, it’s just a part of me and not as extreme as in the beginning, thanks to better stress management and coping strategies.
One of the biggest changes I had to make was to cut down on condiments and sweets. I believe everyone might have a particular food or drink that could be causing inflammation. My self-awareness of the food I eat, the activities I do to decompress, and the goals I strive to accomplish have all grown since I was diagnosed back in 2017.
Everyone will go through different periods of ups and downs. For me, winters (especially cold Midwest ones) are tougher on my skin. Typically, more flare-ups and dry skin occur. But there are times, like during summer, when I feel as though I’m back to my normal self.
For those who are confronting psoriasis daily, I say you should be proud of yourself because acceptance can be a long, continuous journey. Find milestones to look forward to. Learn to accept and respect yourself. Take notes on what you’re going through when inflammation spikes.
I don’t want to say that you need to scrutinize every decision you make, but definitely take the time to reflect on what’s working and what’s not -- whether that’s medication, treatment, diet, or stress management.
Photo Credit: E+ / Getty Images
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