When Acne Causes Depression
Adolescence can be the most fragile juncture in a person’s
life. It is like a roller coaster ride of developing physical,
social and emotional changes, along with rapidly changing sentiments
and feelings.
Unfortunately, this is also the stage where people usually
develop acne, ranging from the mildest form to the most severe
which can cause extreme embarrassment and many other reactions
that may bring profound depressing effects on the over-all outlook
of a teenager. Combined with social pressure, skin disease like
that of acne may really affect a person’s psychological well-being,
quality of life and self-perception.
However, it is not only the teenagers who go through the
psychological effects of this skin condition. A number of adults
who are aged 30 to f40 are increasing in number, and the trauma
associated with this skin disorder really affects them in a
distressing ways also.
Society has put so much value on outer appearances which
suggests that if you are not beautiful (or if you are disfigured
with skin disorders) you may have the tendency of not becoming
socially accepted by your peers.
Acne is not only a disease which deals with the physical
body. It also leaves marks and scars on the person’s psychological
and social disposition. Half of the adult women’s population
and a quarter of that of men are inflicted with acne.
For a number of years now, it was assumed that adults suffering
from acne are more capable of adjusting to their situation than
were teenagers. In recent years however, it appears that adults
have hidden traumas regarding acne that need to be addressed
openly.
A study done with a group of middle-aged men and women gauged
the psychological effects of acne on their psyche. This procedure
included the discussion of how these people felt before and
after they were treated for their skin disorder. The results
showed that middle-aged people in general lacked self-confidence
and tended to be introverted and reserved. They avoid eye contact
with people and hide their faces away by dropping their heads
down and by hairstyling.
After acne treatment however, they tended to be more self-expressive
and showed themselves easily to the public, thus regaining their
self-confidence.
On the other hand, due to lower self-esteem, people afflicted
with acne have a greater tendency to experience extreme depression
which may result in social withdrawal and isolation from society.
They easily give in to negative self-image which can lead to
extreme depression, anger, resentment, poor body image and frustration.
Psychological symptoms like these normally result in people
responding less often to opportunities both in the work place
and in the social arena.
The reaction to acne varies with each person. But still,
there are a lot of similarities with teenagers and adults who
undergo this terrible experience. If teenagers tend to become
rebellious and angry, adult sufferers are likely to become more
withdrawn. In general, they typically employ ways to hide their
skin disorder. Unfortunately, a number of people are apt to
withdraw from the society totally due to embarrassment brought
by their skin disease, while a number of others may lead to
serious psychological damage.
|
