Acne can and often has many psychological side effects. One tends to relate these effects with the intensity of acne but it is not necessarily so. Many psychologists treat patients who suffer from mild to severe cases of acne. The consequences of acne can greatly depend on how a person deals with acne. If a person even with a mild case of acne sees himself/herself as being outcast by the disease he/she will suffer great emotional and psychological effects. Although acne is prominent in the teenage years, it can affect people of all ages and as such the consequences of acne will greatly depend on where psychologically a person is in his life when he/she has to deal with acne.

A new condition or if you prefer disorder was identified: the Psychodermatologic disorder. It is a disorder that concerns itself with the mind/skin relationship. Really we are talking the mind/body rapport.

There are 3 categories to this disorder. Number 1: Psychophysiologic disorders, Number 2: Primary psychiatric disorders and Number 3: Secondary psychiatric disorders

We will be concerned with Number 1 the Psychophysiologic Disorders. This is the category where acne is identified. What we are seeing is a skin problem that is not directly link to the mind but that does react to emotional stimulus such as stress. There is some consensus in the medical field that this condition can be treated with anxiety-decreasing therapy or in the most acute cases with the use of psychotropic medications.

The teenage years are the years where individuals develop their self-image, where they learn personal skills and where they create an identification of who they are. Peer and group pressure are at its peak. The need to be accepted in the group exercises immense stress on the individual’s psyche. We all know how cruel and unforgiving people can be. The least physical difference is taken to new heights. The sexual attraction is developing in these individuals and their physical appearance is of the outmost importance. From their perspective, acne is ruining their life. The need to be accepted by their peer group is extremely important for teenagers.

The doctor and patient dialogue is now more open. Acne’s numerous effects are now being openly discussed. Some of the problems being discussed relate to a low self-image and an overly distorted view of one’s body. People with acne often walk staring at the floor to avoid any personal contact. Often people who have acne outbreak will try to hide their condition, we see girls using more make-up or grow their hair longer to hide their face. The need to hide what they perceive as a defect of their body leaves scars in their psyche.

Often people with acne will not want to participate in sports where they would feel vulnerable because they would expose their face or their upper body if this is where they have acne. Gym classes and swimming become a problem. The look they get from their peer group is so strongly felt that some of them fake an injury to avoid going to gym class. Some teenagers refuse to go to school and some never go back. Acne in some severe cases can create a great deal of chaos in one’s life. The psychological effects for some in such that they become reclusive and unproductive. Poorly prepared for a career, shy, reclusive and feeling alone, they are often in later years find themselves alone, unemployed and financially destitute.

In adult acne some people refuse to go to their job, they call in sick when they have an acne outbreak. Social acceptance and more important peer group acceptance is difficult for people with acne, they fear losing it all with an outbreak of acne. They isolate themselves and wait it out.

People with acne find social interaction very difficult not only because of their low self-image but also because of the view they feel their peer group has toward them.

Depression is a common consequence of acne. This distress must be recognized and taken under control to avoid permanent damage to one’s psyche. The way a teenager sees himself in his formative years will without a doubt be reflected in his behaviors for the rest of his life unless strong and positive re-enforcements come into play.

There is help for those who seek it but low self-image and the sense of worthlessness often does not permit an individual to get the help. For teenagers, it is up to the parents to recognize the problem and act on it in a loving and caring manner knowing ahead of time that the person will resist their help.

Technorati Tags: Acne, Disorder, Psychodermatologic

Have you ever thought that acne is a skin disorder that only affects teenagers? many people would answer this question with a “yes”, while this is right in a great percentage of cases, there are several adults suffering from acne. Yes, it is true, acne can effect people into their forties and beyond. Then, what we will try with this article is to review the main aspects of adult acne and analyze some hard figures in terms of percentages. Moreover, describe the causes and symptoms of adult acne and list some treatments. However, it is always advisable visit your doctor for specialized recommendations.

Adult acne is a common but rarely discussed complaint that is thought to affect around 25% of adult men and up to 50% of adult women at some time in their adult lives as clinical researches have found out. Consequently, acne is more common in women than men and it can be developed even if you never suffered from acne as a child. Twenty five per cent of acne occurs for the first time over the age of 26 years and it is sometimes the result of stress and/or dehydration. Adult acne is also prevalent, especially among people in the age group of 25 to 40. Adult acne also tends to be more resilient, with deep, blind pimples that can last for weeks. Many visits to the dermatologist are due to Acne Vulgaris.

Although the triggers for adult acne are unknown, it is thought to have hormonal roots. Therefore, it can be caused by a hormonal imbalances, pollution, medications, or stress as stated above. Studies have shown a direct correlation between hormonal imbalances and outbreaks of acne in women ranging in age from 30 to 40 years, stress, alcohol and hot foods could aggravate the condition. However, adult acne can be fully controlled by various treatments.

Adult acne, which is really just the same as teenage acne, can start in women who have just given birth because of changes in hormone levels, and can appear in women who had little or no acne as teenagers. It can become very severe, and can lead to pustule and papule formation.

Adult acne care is different from adolescent acne care, as the hormones going through ones body are different. Therefore do not assume what you used to cure your teenage acne problem will cure your adult problems as well.

Certainly, adult Acne sounds funny, but nearly seventeen million people in the United States suffer from acne, corresponding 18% to adults, this makes acne the most common skin disease.

To sum up, it is generally accepted and documented that adult acne is a very common skin disorder in adults, it affects 25 per cent of men and 50 percent of women. Furthermore, it haven been proven the direct relation between hormonal imbalances and acne. Nevertheless, there are treatments available for this disease, and you should visit your doctor for advise.

Technorati Tags: Acne, Adults, Disorder, Skin