Psoriasis is a non-life-threatening skin disease that tends to run in families. An overproduction of skin cells causes the formation of patchy areas of rash, covered by silvery white flakes of dead skin cells. The National Psoriasis Foundation describes psoriasis as "a noncontagious, chronic, inflammatory, painful, disfiguring and disabling autoimmune disease for which there is no cure." In an attempt to identify the effects of the disease, the foundation has compiled a brief that summarizes various studies of how psoriasis affects the psychological, physical, emotional and social lives of patients and their families.
Psycho-Social Effects
The disfiguring appearance of the disease, combined with a lack of education about it in society, causes many sufferers to withdraw from social interaction and to feel shame and isolation. The National Psoriasis Foundation brief states that more than 40 percent of those with the disease report being refused service at salons and spas, or being denied entrance to community pools and gyms, as a result of the disease.
Young People
A six-year study of psoriasis sufferers conducted by the foundation found that 84 percent of young people with psoriasis report anger and frustration caused by the disease. Self-consciousness and embarrassment are common in those with moderate to severe psoriasis.
Stress
Stress is a common trigger for psoriatic episodes. Professor Peter W.H. Lee of the University of Hong Kong reports that psoriasis patients frequently experience anger and worry about being accepted by others. The stress can trigger new outbreaks, and the outbreaks can in turn increase stress further, creating a cycle of disease.
Self-Stigmatization
In his medical bulletin, Professor Lee addresses how the psychological effects of self-stigmatization lower a patient's ability to keep from scratching the skin during outbreaks. And as the American Academy of Dermatology points out, scratching at a psoriasis plaque can tear the skin and trigger formation of a new psoriatic lesion. A break in the skin's protective barrier can then allow viral, bacterial and fungal infections to form. The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that secondary infections can worsen the disease.
Suicidal Thoughts
Psoriasis affects 2 to 3 percent of the U.S. population. More than 80 percent of sufferers report that the disease negatively affects their daily lives. The National Psoriasis Foundation says twice as many people with psoriasis report having suicidal thoughts as those who do not have the disease.
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