Body image and self-esteem are closely linked, and a chronic condition such as atopic dermatitis can interfere with both.
If atopic dermatitis has made you dislike how your skin looks or feels, for example, it can be tough to feel good about yourself in general. Similarly, if atopic dermatitis has dealt a blow to your self-esteem, you may struggle to appreciate your body and all the good things about it, which can take a toll on mental health and emotional well-being.
“Any skin disease that can cover a significant amount of someone’s body — and the parts of their body that the world sees — can make people very self-conscious and affect their self-esteem,” says Amy Wechsler, MD, a New York City–based skin health expert who is board certified in both dermatology and psychiatry.
Plus, if atopic dermatitis isn’t well controlled or you’re experiencing a flare, it can “make the skin itchy, raw, and sore, and there can be swelling, rashes, and bleeding,” says Rachel Milstein Goldenhar, PhD, a clinical psychologist in San Diego who specializes in psychodermatology — the treatment of skin conditions using psychological techniques. “It can kind of overtake everything.”
Answer these eight questions to find out if atopic dermatitis has changed your perception of yourself — and what to do to feel confident in your skin.
