Coping and Living With Acne

It is rare for acne to be a serious health risk. Unfortunately the consequences can be severe. The unsightly blemishes and the appearance of having unhealthy skin will probably cause depression.

An easy way to help defeat depression is to take all possible steps to reduce the effects of each attack.

Not everyone can readily afford a professional dermatologist on an ongoing basis. A single consultation can provide all the advice you need and a prescription. The value of this should not be under estimated. Although there is lots of information available today, it's helpful to have someone experienced who can explain it all to you.

The prescription or medication is vital, both to treat the disease and the psychological effects. As the sufferer sees a reduction in the spots and suffers less attacks, the depression will reduce. In most cases, even when acne is still present, knowing that one is doing everything possible to clear up the outbreak promotes a better attitude.

Passivity when faced with acne creates a downward spiral. The patient resents their damaged appearance. They don't like how they look to themselves and don’t want to expose themselves to other people.

Stoically accepting what, to them, is a major problem only worsens it. It tends to emphasize the mistaken belief that they can do nothing. If they don't think anything will help, they don't even try to help themselves. Because they do nothing, the acne continues and will probably last longer and more severely than need be. That provides false evidence that nothing can be done to cure it.

Seeking treatment helps ease the feeling of despair. In its worst forms, acne won't normally disappear in a day even with the best treatment but simply trying can lift your spirits, especially as the disease starts to clear up.

Acting in this way can give a more vital benefit, it builds up the inner resources that one needs to deal with the challenge. It helps to create the attitude that looks forward to the future instead of concentrating on one unfortunate - often short term - problem.

Over 85% people between the ages of 12 and 24 years will have an acne attack. Usually the attacks are mild and will clear up within two weeks with proper treatment. Because it is so universal, one needn't feel singled out. Because it happens to just about everybody now and again, it can be accepted as a normal, trial we must go through.

That's not a pleasant fact to accept. But it promotes a realistic attitude that things are not always ideal.

It should also be taken into account that much of the distress caused by acne is often created by people around the patient. Far too often thoughtlessness in what is said can badly affect someone who already feels that their world is coming to an end. Acne might attract sympathy but it should not be seen as a way to promote laughter.