Find a dermatologist you can talk to about your feelings. He or she may have suggestions on dealing with the emotional aspects of psoriasis. The NPF can put you in touch with other young people who share your concerns too. One of the hardest things about living with psoriasis is that you go through repeated cycles of strong emotions, usually when the psoriasis goes into remission or reappears. The disease is unpredictable, and the emotions it triggers may occur repeatedly.
Common reactions are embarrassment, anger and guilt.
Fear about psoriasis returning or getting worse is to be expected, as is anxiety about rejection by others. It is important to be conscious of your feelings as they occur and to learn to cope with them, so they do not hold your life hostage. There are ways to avoid dealing directly with others about your psoriasis if you choose, and these techniques can be used whenever you want. Wearing long sleeves, for example, can make coping in public a lot easier on days when you don't have the emotional energy to accept the stares and questions. People are curious when they see something different.