Are you Feeling:

• I feel embarrassed
  Feeling embarrassment when it comes to our bodies can be very uncomfortable. There are many reasons why people struggle with body image, and it’s normal to feel embarrassed at one time or another. To improve your body image, try to focus on the things your body does for you. Make a quick list of three positive things about your body. You can also enroll in a yoga class, horseback riding lesson or a sport/activity to help you feel strong, build confidence and make you feel good about yourself.
• I feel frustrated
  Frustration is our mind’s way of emotionally responding to opposition. The key to effectively dealing with frustration is developing reliable outlets for it. There are three main ways to handle frustration effectively:

  • Develop an outlet for your frustration. Writing in a journal is a great way to release aggravation and stress
  • Use physical activity – this combats the negative stress on your mind and body. Go outside for a walk or try something new such as indoor rock-climbing or spinning
  • Create a “call list” of close friends or family members you can contact when frustration hits
• I feel hopeless due to treatments and medication that just don’t seem to work

  First and foremost, remember that you are not alone in this feeling. Every treatment and medication for psoriasis works differently – and affects psoriasis patients differently. There is no one treatment that is right for everyone, and new treatments may help. Check out the information on this website for various psoriasis treatments. Then take a look at the information in How To Talk to your Dematologist. It’s important to be proactive and to try and stay positive. Stress can aggravate psoriasis and make it worse, so it is important to maintain a positive outlook.

• I feel sad
  Replace immediate feelings of sadness by doing something enjoyable. Here are some suggestions:

  • Try connecting with something beautiful in nature: a waterfall, park or a beautiful sunny day. These moments can be uplifting and alleviate sadness. Bring nature inside with you by buying yourself flowers.
  • Create cue cards of nice quotes about you provided by family and friends. Pull one out when you feel sad.
  • Have a piece of music you find uplifting on your home/work computer or iPod; turn it on – and turn it up! – to help combat sadness.
  • Dancing is a good form of physical activity that can boost anyone’s mood. In the privacy of your own home, don’t be afraid to let loose!
• I don’t want to talk about it
  • Don’t always feel like you have to talk about it – it’s your choice about what you want to reveal or discuss. Sometimes, it is healthy to relax and breathe without saying a word. Silence can actually be helpful in dealing with stress and feelings of anxiety.
  • Writing in a journal is a powerful way of learning about yourself and also of understanding your feelings and emotions. It’s a great way to set personal goals, vent frustrations and open up about things you may not feel comfortable sharing with others.
  • When you are ready to talk, have an established support network identified in advance (a family member, best friend, online community such as Psoriasis Support Canada, or an online chat room).
• I feel stressed (sometimes causing a painful flare up)

  Practicing stress management and deep breathing on a daily basis helps us to deal with stressful situations when they actually occur. Try these tips for stress management to find which works best for you.

  • Meditation: turn on some soothing music, light a candle, or turn off the lights to help yourself relax. Try to focus on your own breath, your body and feeling calm. If your mind begins to race, simply guide it back to your breathing. Do this for 10-15 minutes every day.
  • Deep breathing: this type of breathing comes from the diaphragm, the large muscle near your abdomen. This allows more oxygen into the lungs and the bloodstream, and prevents hyperventilation. To practice deep breathing, try watching the stomach rise and fall as you breathe, rather than the chest.
  • Walking: talk a brisk walk. This will regulate your breathing and help you to calm your mind.
• I don’t know how to respond when people stare

  Through this community, we’ve heard stories from you about how you have addressed stares from people. The reality is that most people who stare are just curious. They may not have seen psoriasis before and they might wonder what it is, if it is painful and most commonly, if it is contagious. If you can muscle up the courage, be forthright in simply stating: I have psoriasis. It is a chronic skin condition that has affected me for X number of years. It can be painful, and emotionally difficult at times, but it is not contagious.

  In addition to this, here are some of the inspiring things you had to say when asked how you have approached the challenges in addressing questions and comments about your psoriasis:

  • Don't let others make you feel that way and don't look at yourself that way. Get up and get moving!! People are really understanding when they understand; just keep on smiling, I know I do.
  • When people asked me what is wrong with my arms (or legs) I used to say with a dismissive move of my hand: There is nothing wrong, it's just psoriasis. Thankfully, a lot of people are now more informed; they know that it is not contagious and don't ask anymore. If someone does, take a good look at who is asking and decide if you want to answer.
• I often feel misunderstood

  Communication tactics are essential in dealing with people who don’t understand what you’re going through! The best way to deal with conflict management is to use the “3-step approach”. In this approach, you explain: What happened? How did it make you feel? How can the situation play out more positively next time?

  Here is an example of the 3-step approach in action:

  • (What happened?) At our work meeting last week, I heard you and our co-worker talking about my psoriasis behind my back. I heard you asking about what psoriasis was, and whether or not it was contagious.
  • (How did it make you feel?) To be honest, it made me feel frustrated and isolated. Although psoriasis is not something I’m ashamed of, when it’s addressed behind my back it seems like you’re keeping a secret from me.
  • (How can we make this better next time?) Next time you have a question about my psoriasis, I’d prefer if you came to me directly. I’m happy to talk to you, because I want people to know the correct information.
• I feel like I have to hide my condition

  This is a very common emotion. The fact is that more than one million people in Canada suffer from psoriasis. You are far from alone. People with psoriasis often want to hide the condition rather than try to explain it to others. Moreover, they feel embarrassed showing their skin and often avoid wearing short-sleeved shirts, shorts or skirts. While it isn’t fair, it is something that many of you feel on a regular basis.

  Here are a few confidence boosting techniques:

  • Make a list of your proudest accomplishments. This could be as simple as learning to swim, becoming a parent, or paying off your student loans. Think about how you felt when you achieved these milestones in your life.
  • Keep yourself surrounded by reminders that you’re loved! Save e-mails, pictures and cards from friends and family that make you feel good. Create a bulletin board in your room or by your desk filled with pictures of people who love you.
  • Try a new goal: set a small goal that seems just out of reach. This could be running a longer distance, or achieving a slightly higher mark on a test at school. The process of working hard and actually achieving your goal will help you to feel like you can accomplish anything you want – and you can!

  Also, check out some of the testimonials you gave during Psoriasis Support Canada’s Shed Your Threads campaign. Talk about inspiring!

• I feel resentment

  Resentment can be a destructive emotion. If we feel resentment because of a past event, it’s not possible to go back and change what happened. Here’s how to feel better about those situations today:

  • Recognize each one of us struggles in a different way – it is not always visible. We all have a different set of obstacles in life, and dealing with them makes us stronger. Try writing a letter to the person you feel resentment towards to get your feelings out. There’s no need to actually send it – simply seal and save, burn or shred it!

Feel free to let us know what helps you when psoriasis gets you down.
E-mail us at info@psoriasissupport.ca