Acne And Depression - The Insidious Effects

Adolescence is one of the most fragile journeys of a person’s life. It is like a roller coaster ride with developing physical, social and emotional changes, along with associated sentiments and feelings that change quickly. This is also the stage where people usually develop acne, ranging from the mildest form to the most severe, which can cause extreme embarrassment. It may catalyze profound depressing feelings, and affect the overall outlook of a teenager. Combined with social pressure, skin diseases like acne may significantly affect a person’s psychological well-being, quality of life and self-perception.

However, it is not only teenagers who go through the psychological effects of this skin condition. Adults, even aged 30 to forty, are not immune to developing problems with acne. And the trauma associated with this skin disorder does really affect them, albeit in more subtle ways.

Our society has put so much value on outer appearances, with the implication that if you are not beautiful, or are suffering skin disorders, there is something 'wrong' with you. There is a great judgment felt by those who do not fit this ideal. And in some peer groups, this can have a really negative effect.

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, and nearly a hundred percent of teenagers at some point int heir adolescence.

For quite a number of years, it was assumed that adult individuals suffering from acne are more capable of adjusting to their situations compared to those teenager acne sufferers. In recent years however, it is found out that they have hidden traumas which must be addressed openly.

A study done with a group of middle-aged men and women gauged the psychological effects of acne on the psyche of adult sufferers. This procedure included the discussion of how these individuals felt before and after they were treated for their skin disorder. The resulted showed that middle aged acne sufferers in general lacked self-confidence and tended to be introverted. They avoid eye contact with people, and try to hide their face by drooping their head down and with their hairstyle.

After the treatment though, they tended to be more self-expressive and showed themselves easily to the public, thus regaining their lost self-confidence.

On the other hand, due to lower self-esteem, people inflicted with acne have a greater tendency to experience extreme depression, which may result in social withdrawal and isolation from the society. They more easily give in to there negative self-image, which may lead to extreme depression, anger, resentment, poor body image, and frustration. 

Psychological symptoms like these normally result in ceasing to find opportunities in life for both work, and socially.

Reactions to acne may vary from person to person. But still, there are a lot of similarities between teenagers and adults who experience this terrible disorder. But whereas teenagers tend to become rebellious and angry with themselves, adult sufferers are likely to become more withdrawn. In general, they typically employ ways to hide, and distract from, their skin disorders.

Unfortunately, a number of people are inclined to withdraw from society totally due to embarrassment brought on by their skin disease, while a number of others may develop serious psychological problems.