i have had psrioriasis since i was 8 years old( im now 13 ) and i really hate it
i feel ashamed of it
i try hiding it as much as possible
people tend to ask me what's wrong with your neck
i know i shouldn't be ashamed about it but its really making me feel sad about it?
Hi there,
Skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema can sometimes affect how you feel about your appearance. You might feel pressure to have perfect skin or to look a certain way and feel left out or different if you have a condition that's visible to other people. Accepting yourself for who you are is difficult but remember that others might be dealing with similar feelings about how they look and be trying to accept themselves as well.
It can be difficult to see a way out of feeling bad about yourself especially when it’s because of something you can’t change, but there are ways to build your confidence and feel better. Everyone is unique and having psoriasis is only a part of who you are. It’s a health condition and there’s nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about.
Other people might not understand that you feel uncomfortable when they ask you personal questions. You can say as much or as little as you want to about your skin. Sometimes other people ask questions because they're interested or are worried about you.
The best thing to do is be honest and tell them that you’re uncomfortable talking about it. You have the right to say whatever you’re happy to share about your psoriasis and you should never be pressured to explain anything about your health or your body.
It’s normal to feel sad or angry sometimes about having a health condition. Feeling scared about other people's reactions or how to cope can make you feel overwhelmed so it can help to get support from someone you trust, like a parent, carer, friend or a Childline counsellor.
Your feelings are important and you could make time each day to use the Art box or the Mood journal in your locker to express them.
Thank you for writing to me.
Take care,
Sam
You can talk privately to a counsellor online or call 0800 1111 for free.
You can ask me about anything you want, there's nothing too big or small. I read every single letter but I can only answer a few each week. My replies are published here on my page.
