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Is it true that atopic dermatitis can affect a person’s emotional state and quality of life? How can you deal with this condition? How can you help yourself or your family? We discussed it with an expert and are ready to tell you!
What’s the problem?
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a systemic chronic inflammatory skin disease that is accompanied by rashes, itching, dry skin, and redness.1,2. To date, AD cannot be completely cured – however, it is possible to achieve its stable, complete remission (long-term absence of symptoms of the disease)3,4.
Due to its visual and physiological manifestations, atopic dermatitis can affect a person’s emotional state, sleep quality, self-esteem, personal relationships, job choices, and overall quality of life.5. This is how our expert, Olga Agafonova, family and perinatal psychologist, psychodramatherapist, assesses the possible impact of a systemic chronic disease.
Olga Agafonova, family and perinatal psychologist, psychodramatherapist
Indeed, there are psychological reactions to chronic diseases – and depending on the severity of the disease, a person’s condition can change up to personality deformation. This can be compared with the post-traumatic reaction of the psyche.
The development of such reactions can be influenced by the constant dissatisfaction of basic needs: good sleep, a sense of security, self-confidence. The localization of AD also plays an important role: the more noticeable the manifestations of the disease to others, the greater the impact it can have on social manifestations (work, study) and on the feelings that patients may experience: embarrassment, discomfort, anxiety …
What difficulties can accompany AD?
The impact of atopic dermatitis can affect a variety of areas of life4. It is important to understand that in adults, rashes most often appear on the elbows and knees and neck – that is, on visually open and noticeable surrounding parts of the body3. Therefore, people with AD may worry about their appearance, they may develop complexes and experiences based on their attractiveness, and difficulties may arise in relations with the opposite sex.5.
Dry skin, rashes and, most importantly, persistent itching can also significantly impair the quality of a night’s sleep.6. Poor sleep can affect a person’s daily life, provoke fatigue and a feeling of “brokenness”, negatively affect performance.7.
Atopic dermatitis can provoke the development of depressive manifestations (in particular, in adolescents), an increased level of anxiety and, in general, disrupt psychological comfort and balance.8.
You can even create a so-called psychological portrait of an atopic: a mobile psyche, a mobile nervous system, excitability, “emotional swings”, the risk of developing depression, anxiety … And this is a double-edged sword: the more manifestations of AD, the more they can affect the emotional stability of a person, and that, in turn, affects the course of the disease – and a vicious circle is obtained.
It is important to understand that any psychogenic factors can exacerbate the disease, a lot in the human body is tied to the nervous system. Therefore, it may be important not only to consult a doctor regarding the treatment of the disease, but also to recognize the connection between emotional stability and the course of AD: do not take a childish position, do not hide your face in your hands, but take care of your inner state.
What can you do to help yourself?
First of all, of course, it is important to treat AD strictly under the supervision of a specialist. A dermatologist or allergist should select the appropriate therapy, give their recommendations for skin care, discuss the need for a diet3. Nevertheless, in no case should one refuse simple measures of psychological help to oneself.
Here are some ways to deal with anxiety, psychological discomfort and other problems that AD can provoke, our expert recommends.
You need to know your subtle places and understand that the remission of AD may depend, among other things, on the emotional state of a person, on his internal reaction to external factors. Therefore, it is important not to fight with your emotions, but to accept them, be aware of your “swing” and keep yourself in balance.
It is important to feel both at the psychological level and at the bodily level – and this should be a single set of sensations, understanding the connection of emotions with the body. This can be useful bodily practices: dance therapy, yoga, “soft” sports aimed at working out the muscles. Long walks in the fresh air, constant movement and breathing exercises also help.
A useful practice in AD can be to have an internal dialogue with yourself: “What is going on? What emotions do I experience? Why?”. This allows you to find the true causes of anxiety and anxiety and work them out: on your own or with a specialist.
During an exacerbation (especially if there are problems with sleep due to anxiety), a change in place of residence, a change in climate (if possible) or at least a change in bed (associations associated with it) can help.
It is important to find maximum support: in communication with loved ones or in thematic online groups, in the help of a psychologist in an acute period, in finding your strengths that are not related to the disease.
And, of course, in no case should you neglect medical therapy. It is imperative to control AD under the guidance of a doctor, use the medications prescribed by him. And treat it not as a burdensome treatment, but as a useful and healthy self-care habit.
In addition, we advise everyone who would like to receive reliable information about the disease, find out answers to questions about skin care in AD, visit a specialized resource .
There you will find answers to the most common questions about AD, recommendations for skin care, improved sleep quality, reduced anxiety, and other useful tips and tricks. In addition, the site has where you can find the nearest medical center where you can consult with a specialist.
And, of course, remember that one of the main keys to achieving AD remission is acceptance of your skin, competent care for it, as well as love for yourself and your features!
The information provided does not replace the advice of a specialist, consult a doctor.
1. Wollenberg A. et al.: Consensus-based European guidelines for treatment of atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) in adults and children: part I. JEADV 2018, 32, 657–682
2. Oliveira C, Torres T. More than skin deep: the systemic nature of atopic dermatitis. Eur J Dermatol. 2019 Jun 1; 29(3): 250-258. doi: 10.1684/ejd.2019.3557. PMID: 31122909.
3. Clinical guidelines Atopic dermatitis, 2021. Electronic resource: https://cr.minzdrav.gov.ru/recomend/265_2 Access date: 22.12.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX
4. Thomsen SF. Atopic dermatitis: natural history, diagnosis, and treatment. ISRN Allergy. 2014; 2014:354250. Published 2014 Apr 2. doi: 10.1155/2014/354250
5. Zuberbier T, Orlow SJ, Paller AS, Taïeb A, Allen R, Hernanz-Hermosa JM, Ocampo-Candiani J, Cox M, Langeraar J, Simon JC. Patient perspectives on the management of atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006 Jul; 118(1): 226-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2006.02.031.
6. Chang YS, Chiang BL. Sleep disorders and atopic dermatitis: A 2-way street? J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018 Oct; 142(4): 1033-1040. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2018.08.005. Epub 2018 Aug 23. PMID: 30144472.
7. Pilcher JJ, Morris DM. Sleep and Organizational Behavior: Implications for Workplace Productivity and Safety. Front Psychol. 2020; 11:45. Published 2020 Jan 31. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00045
8. Lee, S., Shin, A. Association of atopic dermatitis with depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviors among adolescents in Korea: the 2013 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Survey. BMC Psychiatry 17, 3 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-016-1160-7
MAT-RU-2106241-1.0-12 / 2021