Adult Acne- Is It Real? Is It Serious?

Acne vulgaris, a ubiquitous skin disorder, proven to cause significant psychological and psychosocial repercussions in 1955. Since these findings, there have been some measures taken to curb and prevent those effects. These measures have been successful to some degree, but the effects that acne has on a person's mental health are much deeper than originally thought. Too often these issues are overlooked and considered unimportant to those who have never felt the effects of having a disease that affects the way they present themselves to the world.

Acne Vulgaris in Teens

Most often, acne vulgaris appears in teens and preteens just before or during puberty. This is of course is the time in life when they are most sensitive to any changes or modification to their body or appearance. A time when they are undergoing the maximum amount of social and physiological change and are most psychologically vulnerable. 30-50% of teens experience serious psychological difficulties that are a result of acne. Some of these difficulties include managing emotions regarding their social interactions, body image and even sexuality in relation to the acne.

Being that acne most frequently manifests on the facial area in teens rather than other more obscure areas that can be covered by clothing or long hair, this of course worsens issues with social consciousness and low self-esteem regarding body image. This brings about the psycho-social difficulties brought on by acne. Personal relationships with friends and family can become strained and even severed completely as the adolescent tries to deal with the appearance of acne. Rather than dysphoria, depression or anxiety, the first effect of acne that teen will exhibit is embarrassment. This will lead to avoiding sports, parties, dances and other activities that teens would normally take part in. The lack of interaction and the feeling of alienation will then lead to deep depression.

Adult Onset Acne

For people who begin experiencing acne in their 20s or later, the psychological effects can be just as bad and sometimes worse than adolescents experiencing the same thing. If a person with adult onset acne did not experience the disorder in their youth, they too may not have the tools to deal with such a change. Often, the effects of such a change can be life altering and even devastating. Adults who experience late onset acne more often contemplate suicide, feeling as though they have become devalued as a person in situations ranging from employment to personal and sexual relationships. In the instance of employment, it has been found that employers did indeed pass over candidates who had moderate to severe acne. Personal relationships do become strained, but in many of these cases it is because of the acne sufferer's sudden mood change and view of their own life.

Severity of psychological impact vs Severity of acne

The odd part of the link between acne and its psychological affects is the lack of symmetry between the severity of the two. Those with minor acne lesions compared to those with severe acne vulgaris, often, reacted just as strongly to the effects on their appearance as did those with the more severe acne. At this point in their lives, while teens are dealing with the many changes in their body, they lack the coping mechanisms to deal with even one more. In more mature acne sufferers, a lack of acne during their youth may have normalized their adolescence, but it does not equip them to deal with such a visible disease in adulthood. This could explain such extreme reactions to acne blemishes, even when the severity is fairly mild. Each acne sufferer views their disorder just as seriously as the next, albeit some conditions are far worse than others, each subject experiences the same changes and has but few tools to deal with it.

Some Solutions for Mild to Moderate Acne Depression

There are many methods of treating acne depression for those who are not experiencing suicidal or anti-social behavior. From visiting the dermatologist and having the patience to wait for prescription medications to begin working to join online forums dedicated to helping people with acne depression, support is available. Skin care routines, changes in diet and lifestyle and even learning that a good friend or a close family member is there for them are often enough to begin healing the psychological wounds of acne. Keeping a close eye on acne sufferers and their ability to cope with the disorder is a tough. The effects of the disorder are very real and very serious and need to be addressed as such.

Dealing with Deep Acne Depression

Deep acne depression is a very serious and very dark depression. Those who suffer this depression are often withdrawn socially and have "given up" on normal life. Doctors who encounter this type of depression often will prescribe anti-depressant medication along with medication to help heal acne. So often though, it is seen that deep acne depression sufferers don't make it to the doctor. They don't want to leave their homes and especially don't want to be seen in public. Parents feel helpless and sometimes even apathetic, feeling that this is just a phase in their child's life and it will soon pass. For these patients, help seems impossible, and hope is non-existent. Unfortunately, this feeling of hopelessness can lead to thoughts of suicide among those who have acne.
Doctors, namely dermatologists, have been observing this type of depression for decades and still don't have all the tools they need to support these patients and even the sufferers they don't see but know exist. Through psychological evaluations before many types of acne medications are prescribed, doctors can step in to help these patients, but what about the ones who aren't able to visit a physician?

New Beginnings

The only way to start helping all acne sufferers is to make the subject of acne depression more apparent to the general population. Acne education and support groups in schools and support groups and more online forums for adults must be implemented. In most cases, acne is not permanent, and it is overall it is not a fatal disorder. Information is the number one way to reach those who have acne. Information, support, understanding and empathy are the best things that can be done for anyone who has acne. Medications and counseling are of the utmost importance as well.

If you know someone who suffers from acne, talk to them. Be their friend and encourage them. Empathize with them and above all, recognize that their issues are real and serious. Acne depression doesn't have to get to a point of being fatal, just as the disorder of acne is non fatal and temporary. This too shall pass, but only if it is recognized and addressed.