Acne and Depression

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An overlooked side effect of acne can be depression. Studies have shown that you are more likely to suffer from depression if you have acne. This can be due to a number of unpleasant feelings that physical effects of your acne can cause. Many acne sufferers experience low self-esteem, a lack of confidence, shyness and feelings of worthlessness. Although such feelings are common this doesn’t mean that you should put up with them. Speaking to your doctor or dermatologist about the way your acne makes you feel is extremely important. They can prescribe effective treatments and provide support and reassurance to help you through a difficult period.

Teenage Acne and Depression

As a teenager you are often expected to look and act a certain way despite the fact that your body and emotions want to do the exact opposite. Social pressures and the media’s unreasonable expectations of beauty certainly do not help either. Teenage hormones, some of which can cause acne, also have serious effects upon your mood and cause low feelings.

Unfortunately, your teens are often when acne strikes. If your acne causes you to experience low moods, social anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts, you should immediately contact your doctor or dermatologist. Your doctor will almost certainly have seen many similar cases and will be able to provide the perfect acne treatment for you as well as emotional support.

Acne and Depression Tips

• Get help. If your acne is causing you to experience any kind of emotional problem, make an appointment. Your doctor will be able to recommend the best treatment for you and will be able to talk to you about how you are feeling. They can also look after your mental needs which are as important as your dermatological requirements. You deserve to feel happy and confident in your own skin.
• Take care of yourself. Living a healthier lifestyle can have many positive effects. A balanced diet, a good skincare regime, regular exercise and healthy sleep patterns will do wonders for your overall health. Good health can reduce acne and make you feel a lot happier.
• Remember that your acne will not last forever and that you are not alone. More than 80% of people suffer from acne during their lives. There are many acne support forums on the Internet if you wish to talk about how you feel in confidence.
• Finally, bear in mind that acne is not forever. Most acne will clear up by your late teens or early twenties. With the correct treatment, acne can be gotten under control much sooner. It is unusual to experience acne later in life although some men in their thirties and some older women can also suffer from the condition. However, adult acne is just as easy to take control of with the correct treatment.

Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) and Depression

Recently there have been reports that one of the most effective and widely prescribed acne drugs; Isotretinoin (also known as Roaccutane) has been linked with depression.

It has been very difficult to determine whether or not Isotretinoin does cause depression due to the high level of depression already present among acne sufferers. This means that researchers cannot be positive that the drug causes the problem as it may just be caused by acne itself. Either way, doctors and dermatologists must now warn their patients of the possible risk.

If you are taking Isotretinoin, it is important to be on the look out for any signs of depression. If you are at all concerned about your mental health you should immediately consult your doctor or dermatologist.

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