Skin conditions, such as acne, can have an effect on our mental health. One of the ways in which it can do this is to make us feel like our acne is worse or more noticeable than it really is. This effect is known as body dysmorphia, although when it is specifically related to acne it is often called acne dysmorphia.
When a person is affected by acne dysmorphia, which is also known as acne dysmorphic disorder, or ADD, they can find themselves consumed by thoughts about how bad their acne is. However, in reality, these thoughts do not reflect the true picture of a person’s acne as they make it seem more severe and noticeable than it actually is.
These false thoughts and inaccurate perceptions can negatively affect a person’s sense of self-worth, confidence and overall enjoyment of life. Sometimes, these thoughts can lead to a low mood and depression.
If acne dysmorphia might be affecting you then a good place to seek help is your GP. Your doctor will be able to speak with you about how you are feeling and help you to form a treatment plan, which may involve other specialists who are trained in treating acne dysmorphia, such as dermatologists and psychiatrists.
Sometimes self-help resources can be useful in enabling us to feel better about ourselves and our skin. Visit our sister site Skin Support for more information on self-help.
If you feel like you need to talk to someone straight away about the way that you are feeling then you might like to get in contact with Mind, Samaritans or Changing Faces, who may be able to help.