Talking About Your Psoriasis to Others

When you know how to explain your psoriasis to others, it can relieve some of the stress that goes along with your skin condition.

"The more people around you that know about it, the more support you'll get," says Linda Cornish. She's a dermatology nurse who helps people with psoriasis at Kaiser-Permanente Medical Center in Oakland, CA. "And being open and honest can make you feel less self-conscious."

These six tips can help you talk about your psoriasis to friends and coworkers.

1. Choose the right time.

Figure out a time and a place that will make you feel comfortable.

"If you're relaxed and at ease, the person you're talking to is more likely to feel at ease," says Julie Nelligan, PhD. She's a health psychologist in private practice in Portland, OR.

The right setting is likely to depend in part on the person you're talking to. With a coworker, you may want to bring up the subject during a break or over lunch. If you're talking to someone you've begun dating, you may want to arrange a special time.

2. Think through what you want to say.

Plan it out. That can help make things easier. Chances are you'll also feel more relaxed. How much detail you give will depend on the person you're talking with.

A coworker may need to know only what psoriasis is and that they cant catch it. Your boss might need to know about your treatments if that means taking time off from work. When talking to a date, you may want to explain what living with psoriasis is like for you.

See the rest here:
Talking About Your Psoriasis to Others