While acne is a cosmetic problem, it can severely affect your life in many ways (especially for adolescents and young children at their personality developmental stages). During adolescence, peer acceptance is essential for a teenager because studies show a strong link between physical appearance and attractiveness to gain peer status. Even in adults, it can lower their self-esteem, confidence, social life, and interaction. Learn in detail how acne affects mental health and how to cope with it in this article. Visit the best Mental Health Clinic in Brooklyn at Doral Health & Wellness or log on to www.doralhw.org

The mental effect of acne

Here are the major mental health problems that people face with acne:

• Loss of confidence:

When acne appears on your face, it can lower your self-esteem because you may start feeling insecure and embarrassed about your looks. This self-consciousness is so intense that people even avoid taking part in pictures with friends and family, asking someone out for a date, or asking for a promotion, for instance.

In teens, many people are subjected to teasing and bullying because of their skin, which directly affects their self-confidence and the building of their personalities. One 2011 study shows that people with moderate to severe acne are less likely to pursue romantic relationships. The reason is obvious because they feel embarrassed to open up about them. What you and people need to understand- Acne is a common skin condition that can occur to anyone and it’s completely cosmetic and treatable. So, don’t let this fact affect your life, and avoid taking it seriously. Your personality is formed from your habits and behaviors, not from this.

• It makes you depressed:

Depression is quite common in people with acne, especially if you’re suffering from long-lasting or severe acne. Experts have found plenty of evidence that people with acne are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop depression compared to average people without any dermatological condition. This is common people don’t want others to see or hate the way they look, which creates a heavy emotional burden to bear, and they don’t like to do the simplest tasks like getting out of bed, taking a shower, or preparing themselves to work. You can notice these signs of depression in people with acne:

• Feeling sad about the look.
• Avoiding friends and family.
• Sleeping issues
• Not interested in things they once enjoyed.

Besides these signs, there can be other symptoms as well, so if you think you’re feeling depressed, then you should let your doctor know. For teens with acne, parents need to be careful about the signs of depression. In extreme cases, people may also have thoughts of suicide, that’s why people need to prevent this feeling of hopelessness when they feel like they’ve tried everything and failed.

If you notice suicidal thoughts in yourself or your loved ones, contact the emergency helpline number to protect their lives.

• Anger and frustration:

Acne can sometimes make you burst into anger. Keep in mind that you’re not alone, acne makes many people frustrated. However, it also allows people to take good care of their skin every day to prevent that. People also feel frustrated when they need treatment, and even after treatment they still have acne. You also feel frustrated to see other’s faces and compare yourselves to them. What you and people need to understand- You can find the right acne treatment options and stick with them; it may take time, but eventually, you will find the right treatment plan for yourself.

• Isolate yourself:

People with moderate or severe acne like to avoid social contact and like to stay in their room. This happens because people like to avoid unwanted stares, double takes, or glares of disgust. So, they find it better to cancel plans until they feel their skin gets better.

Staying home once or twice may not a be warning sign but if withdrawing during bad skin days becomes a habit, that means you’re controlling your daily choices and relationships. While this may seem the right choice to hide from the world, it’s a harmless way to protect yourself because research shows that social support can improve mental health and self-esteem. So, instead of avoiding people, approach the people who support you, understand your feelings, and help you overcome your insecurity about your skin.

How to cope?

If you also struggle with your emotions due to acne, then these coping tips will help you, including:

1. Get treated:

Look for a certified dermatologist who can help you clear your skin. Most acne and acne scars are treatable; however, results may take several months to appear and clear skin may take a year to get rid of acne. So, you need to be patient with the results. The good thing is all kinds of pills, creams, and treatments will help.

2. Cover-up:

Acne usually gets worse if there are outbreaks, so you need to use safe products to cover them to prevent outbreaks. When choosing makeup, look for the label ‘non-comedogenic’ which means it won’t clog your pores. So, it’s a good idea to use makeup that is oil-free and water-based so that you can hide outbreaks with sunscreens, moisturizers, and spot acne treatments that are tinted.

3. Talk to other people:

While acne makes you feel like being by yourself, it’s a better idea that you surround yourself with people who understand you and support you. This helps you overcome anxiety and depression and helps you share your feelings with others. To conceal your identity, you can join support groups anonymously through an online forum and talk to someone about what action to take. Ask the doctor for suggestions for online groups if you like to talk to people in person about the situation.

4. De-stress:

Stress doesn’t cause acne; however, it can make the outbreaks worse, which also makes you more stressed. So, if your stress affects your habitual behaviors like picking and squeezing, you need to avoid them by distracting yourself by relaxing your mind with yoga, tai chi, listening to music, deep-breathing exercises, etc. so that you don’t make your acne worse.

5. Take care of yourself:

While it’s common sense, most people ignore it when it comes to taking care of your skin. Taking care of your whole body also improves your skin and reduces acne. So, eat well, stay physically active, and get good quality sleep. This way you not only help your skin but also feel better about yourself. Multiple studies show that self-care reduces anxiety and improves one’s sense of well-being.

Besides these coping strategies, if you are not able to handle your emotions due to acne or skin problems, you should consult with a mental health professional or a counselor to manage your emotions with therapies.

Acne is a normal skin condition and many people have it. So, don’t think you’re alone. Acne is treatable but it may take time. So, trust the process and don’t let it disturb your mental health. Use the above-mentioned coping strategies to manage your mental health and acne. If you’re unable to manage your emotions, then visit a therapist or counselor for treatment.

If you need help with acne treatment, visit our dermatology clinic in Brooklyn to get the best acne treatment for your acne. Our doctors examine your acne type and provide you with the latest treatment options for your acne. Book your appointment in our mental health professional clinic in Brooklyn where doctors and staff ensure you get the best results. Call us on +1-347-384-5690 to get a consultation. If you need help learning coping methods, register your information and make direct contact with our doctors and psychiatrists to learn those methods, log on to www.doralhw.org. Visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212.