Emotional effects of psoriasis on children
Although medical information is the first thing to communicate about the disease, it is crucial that your child learn to recognize his or her feelings about psoriasis. Typically, when young people develop psoriasis, it not only affects them physically but also emotionally. It may influence how they view and interact with the world, the activities they take part in, the people they seek out as friends and the interests they develop.
Some children show little emotional reaction; others are embarrassed, angry or sad. Children may be apprehensive about their psoriasis getting worse or recurring. Anxiety over rejection by peers is very common, especially as the child moves toward teenage years.
Emotional swings
Psoriasis presents a range of emotional responses, and coming to terms with having the disease may take some time. No one can predict how a child with the disease will act or feel, because psoriasis tends to fluctuate from worse to better, and the child's feelings will shift as well. The swing in feelings alone can cause confusion. While some children show little in the way of an emotional reaction to psoriasis, others feel embarrassed, angry or sad.
Your child's ability to communicate effectively about the disease and his or her feelings is as important as developing ways to help your child manage the symptoms of psoriasis. Remember that having psoriasis at a young age impacts the patient's body image more severely than in adults.
Help your child cope
It is common for children who have psoriasis to experience strong feelings about their skin. Tell your child, as often as necessary, that it is okay to feel angry, sad and frustrated, and it is okay to show that pain to others. The emotional and social consequences that result from having psoriasis can be significant and should not be underestimated. These feelings should not be dismissed as trivial or self-indulgent.
One of the best things parents of children with psoriasis can do is become educated about the disease, so they can educate their children. The way you educate your child should be based on the child's age and level of understanding.
While a young child might be satisfied with a parent as a constant information and comfort source, older children and teens might also turn to friends or counselors who know about psoriasis for support. A support network—including a family member, friend, physician or counselor—can help a child successfully cope with the disease by recognizing the feelings that accompany psoriasis.
Talk with your child
Be truthful about the course of psoriasis while fostering hope. As the child gets older, you can explain more about research and findings. You will probably need to reinforce the basic messages you want to get across many times in different ways. Encourage a child with these points:
- It is not a life-threatening disease.
- Millions of others have psoriasis.
- There can be periods of spontaneous remission.
- It is not contagious.
Psoriasis is a reality, but it need not take control of a young person's emotions. Honest, straightforward information delivered with compassion and sensitivity works best. Your openness and directness will serve as a good role model for the way your child handles social situations.
Seven ways to beat the psoriasis blues
- Prepare your child for the chronic nature of the disease and that it goes through cycles.
- Help your child to understand that while this is a genetic disorder, we don't know why some people have it and some don't.
- Assure your child that they did not bring on psoriasis. It's not their fault. Make sure the child knows the psoriasis is not her fault because she doesn't eat right, keep clean or has an abnormal personality.
- Teach your child patience, with the understanding that some treatments work better than others for them. Tell your child how important it is that they use the medicines properly to control the psoriasis.
- Encourage questions and inquisitiveness. Some children are better off writing down their questions. Teens might be interested in camouflaging techniques and other things that help them to feel more in control of their condition. Ensure that they get the answers to their questions from their dermatologist. Discuss their condition, both physically and emotionally, with the dermatologist.
- Encourage your child to reach out for support whenever needed and make sure the support is there. Teenagers may find the psoriasis especially distressing, as appearance is extremely important to teens. You can remind teens that educating the people they encounter is important.
- Make sure the child understands that while psoriasis might be part of who they are, it's not all of who they are.
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