Sandhya Raghavan
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Written By: Sandhya Raghavan | Published : August 17, 2017 9:45 AM IST
Many people think that acne is just a cosmetic problem, a small dermatological inconvenience whose only casualty is some spots on the skin and a few ruined teenage years. But the scars and blemishes of acne are not just skin deep. They run deeper than what we'd like to imagine.
As someone who has been suffering from acne for over 17 years, I especially know how the ordeal feels like because my acne hounded me through my adolescent years into well into my early 30s. I know how profoundly it impacted my self-worth throughout the ages. It dented my self-esteem, holding me back from living life the way I have always wanted. I found it difficult to meet eyes with someone, fearing that they may point out how bad my skin has got since the last time they saw me. At job interviews, I was a frightened, confused blob of mess, thinking everyone in the room is looking at my scars. "Use rose water with Multani mitti," came unsolicited advice from strangers in the train. It even made me wonder if I was worth anybody's love.
What's worse is the impunity with which my concerns were dismissed, even by people near to me. I was asked to stop complaining and be grateful that my acne is not permanent. I was also accused of being vain because I used to be preoccupied with my skin.
(Read: 9 acne-causing ingredients to watch out for in cosmetics)
Acne starts during your adolescence, a time of great psychological instability when your identity starts taking shape. It's a crucial time of your life when you have to put your best face forward. But battling a problem like acne in your teenage years can leave with scars that are more than just skin deep. A study conducted in 19991 revealed that those with bad acne in their younger days tend to have emotional and social problems comparable with those who have diabetes and epilepsy. The damage also happens to be irreversible since social awkwardness and social withdrawal can continue even after the acne has been cured. Following are some of the emotional problems acne sufferers face.
Higher levels of stress: If you are a woman with acne, chances are you are undergoing a lot of stress. Society is more expectant of women than men when it comes to upholding beauty standards and looking perfect. It's no surprise that stress becomes part and parcel of life for women who had to grow up with acne.2
(Read: Can sunlight cure acne)
More chances of depression and anxiety: A Norwegian survey conducted in 2004, it was reported that anxiety and depression went hand in hand with acne. In fact, there was a linear relationship between the mood of the person and acne, which means the severity of the acne was directly proportional to the person's mood.3
Low self-esteem: When something like acne ravages you at an impressionable age, you are left with its emotional scars for life. This is mainly because the society perpetuates the ideal of flawless skin through media, which leaves them feeling inadequate. Low self-esteem is one of the far-reaching psychological side effects of acne. Sufferers experience feelings of incompetence and rejection, especially at a young age. A large number of acne sufferers also refrain from participating in sports due to low self-worth and fear of being judged by others as unhealthy or unhygienic.4
Prone to embarrassments: Low self-esteem and self-image cause acne sufferers to become more self-conscious and prone to embarrassments. They constantly worry that they are being judged for the way they look by others. This, unfortunately, restricts them from pursuing a lot of opportunities in life.5
Hiding behind clothes: Since acne sufferers are preoccupied with their skin conditions, they dress up to conceal parts of their body affected by acne. They have a fixation with hoodies and sweatshirts that can cover their face, back, chest and upper arms afflicted by acne. Girls also refrain from wearing outfits which they believe can attract a lot of attention towards them.5
Impaired social life: Acne sufferers, especially women, become social recluses because they fear being gawked at by others. They avoid social functions and activities if they have a flare up. Studies suggest that many develop traits like avoidant personality disorder permanantly5. Despite wanting to have healthy social relationships, they end up suffering from inhibitions, inferiority, sensitivity to criticism and fear of social interactions.
Strained relationships with near and dear ones: Studies suggest that 75 percent of acne sufferers experienced interpersonal problems with their family, friends and relatives. Family members have a habit of constantly pointing out towards or inquiring about their acne, which puts the patients ill at ease.5
Reduced academic performance: Around 57 percent of teenage patients surveyed for a study reported that acne affects their academic performances. Constant preoccupation with their skin and facial appearance affected their ability to concentrate on their work.5
References:
1. 1. Mallon E, Newton JN, Klassen A, Stewart-Brown SL, Ryan TJ, Finlay AY. The quality of life in acne: a comparison with general medical conditions using generic questionnaires. Br J Dermatol. 1999 Apr;140(4):672-6. PubMed PMID:10233319.
2. Fried RG, Wechsler A. Psychological problems in the acne patient. Dermatol Ther. 2006 Jul-Aug;19(4):237-40. Review. PubMed PMID: 17004999.
3. Halvorsen, J. A., Dalgard, F., Thoresen, M., Bjertness, E., & Lien, L. (2009). Is the association between acne and mental distress influenced by diet? Results from a cross-sectional population study among 3775 late adolescents in Oslo, Norway. BMC Public Health, 9(1), 340.
4. Loney T, Standage M, Lewis S. Not just 'skin deep': psychosocial effects of
dermatological-related social anxiety in a sample of acne patients. J Health
Psychol. 2008 Jan;13(1):47-54. PubMed PMID: 18086717.
5.Behnam, B., Taheri, R., Ghorbani, R., & Allameh, P. (2013). Psychological Impairments in the Patients with Acne. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 58(1), 26 29. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.105281
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