Charity organisation the British Skin Foundation (BSF) has drawn attention towards the emotional impact of skin disease following survey findings.
Released by the BSF at the British Association of Dermatologists’ 106th Annual Conference, the Psychodermatology & Me Survey revealed that across the 1,100 participants questioned who suffer from a skin condition, 80.6% say they feel more anxious or depressed when their skin condition flares up. Furthermore, 73.1% say healthcare professionals have never discussed the mental health impact of their skin condition, while nearly two-thirds (63.6%) say their skin condition affects their mental health every day.
BSF spokesperson and clinical psychologist, Professor Andrew Thompson of Cardiff University, commented, “We need greater awareness of psychodermatology services, better integration of mental health support into skin care pathways and more recognition that treating a skin condition means caring for the whole person, not just their symptoms. No one should feel isolated, stigmatised or unsupported because of a skin condition, yet too many people continue to struggle in silence. Access to psychological support should not depend on where someone lives or what condition they have.”