I sometimes get depressed and feel like I don't belong.🤷♂️
I struggle at times, but find that I can compartmentalize some of these negative thoughts. I told my PCP that I was feeling depressed, ( it was situational) and she immediately put me on antidepressants. What a trip ! I stopped taking them and and realized that I can and will choose calm, confidant, self reliance and happiness.
My wish for you all is to find peace, self love and the ability to move forward regardless . Good JuJu ☺️
Of course you belong. Right here with the rest of us.
☺️Yes... It takes a toll on our dignity.👋
Wren, sorry you have that sometimes also.. I can only suggest to remind yourself that psoriasis does not define you, it's not who you are it's what you have. If you're able to try covering up the areas that are visible if you feel conscious about it. It's like a well-kept secret haha when you cover it over. It's hard to do in summer because it's so hot out. Try to wear one of those light summer cover overs for like people do with bathing suits so you don't get sunburned, kind of a dual purpose. I think only kids really get curious more so, adults may look the other way if they see such. Sometimes people might think you got burned if it's very noticeable so they don't want to ask? Or comment any.
Try to make the most of each day regardless, why ruin a day otherwise if you're able to function? I had to get an x-ray once of my foot, I had to have my sock off and I felt conscious that I had a small patch at the bottom of my heel, when she turned the foot I said that's from psoriasis you won't catch it but I just want you to be careful so you don't get any flakes on you. She just shrugged her shoulders like okay whatever. So it depends on the person seeing it. Just try to live life otherwise, otherwise you miss the enjoyment of a given day. If a child asks any about it, you might say you just wouldn't understand. Because I don't think they would grasp what that is. But many kids don't pay attention now. Unlike when I had my daughter and took her swimming. A young girl happened to see my c-section scar and asked me what that was. I said I had a baby, I spared the details otherwise. She just got quiet and swam off. I'm sure she might have likely thought at that age I'm never having one. Hahaha. I didn't get to tell her that doesn't always happen. But it can. I guess it's a lesson for some people to learn. If someone asks that's what I feel they get for asking maybe.
one day at a time for sure. What gets me, though, is when you aren't sleeping or not getting a restful sleep, is it's really hard to just deal with it. Even with great sleep, I can still dealing with fatigue...which really is different than just being tired. My Ps is typically not visible to other people except when I'm having a really bad flare and even then it's minor, so I don't feel any mental issues I have are tied to what others think of me.
When I'm having a PsA flare, and I'm limping, people do notice, but I don't let that bother me. I do what I can and am grateful for what I can do as at one point I couldn't do anything as the pain was so bad.