In addition to being a physical problem, these symptoms can also contribute to emotional issues. According to an analysis of previously published studies in the February 2022 issue of the journal PLoS ONE, people with eczema may be at 63 percent higher risk for developing anxiety and depression compared with those who don’t have eczema. This is likely because severe eczema doesn’t just affect your skin but can impact your quality of life as well.
How Severe Eczema Can Impact You Emotionally
Relentlessly itchy skin can make it difficult to sleep, which makes it hard to function during your waking hours. “People who don’t get a good night’s sleep are often more depressed, more anxious, and unable to focus on their tasks during the day, ” says Suzanne Friedler, MD, FAAD, a clinical instructor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology in New York City. “When you have eczema, it can also be hard to focus during the day because you’re distracted by the itching. ” In addition, the embarrassment of having large, noticeable patches of red or discolored skin can start to have an emotional impact on people as well. “If somebody has eczema on their arms, hands, or face, it is more obvious to others, and then this can cause more anxiety and self-esteem issues, ” says Mohammad Jafferany, MD, executive director of the Association for Psychoneurocutaneous Medicine of North America (APMNA) and a psychodermatologist in Saginaw, Michigan. “And people who feel more depressed may opt to be by themselves.”
Signs of Depression and Anxiety
According to Dr. Jafferany, you may be depressed if you‘re:
Feeling empty and down. “We’re talking about feelings of sadness, tearfulness, hopelessness, helplessness, and emptiness, as well as frustration and anger in some cases,” he says.Losing interest in things you normally enjoy. You might not relish hobbies you used to love, or you struggle to partake in fun activities, Jafferany explains.Experiencing sleep disturbances. This one can be tricky since eczema itself can impact sleep. “Sometimes a person sleeps a lot, but sometimes they just can’t sleep and toss and turn on the bed,” Jafferany says. “Consequently, they can feel really tired and have a lack of energy.”Experiencing changes in weight. For some people, this might mean not eating as much and losing weight, while others may gain weight from stress-eating, according to Jafferany.Having difficulty concentrating. “This might include ruminating on the past — a person cannot make decisions or remember things, because they can’t focus,” he says.Having thoughts of suicide. This could mean thinking you don’t deserve to live, or imagining ways to die, Jafferany explains.
The symptoms of anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of depression, he adds. People with anxiety may also overthink and envision worst-case scenarios, obsess over situations, feel restless, or feel agitated and have trouble relaxing, according to the Cleveland Clinic. “In addition, a person may be worried about their physical look and appearance … so they might try to hide or isolate themselves,” Jafferany explains. It’s also possible to experience both anxiety and depression at the same time, he adds.
How to Treat Anxiety and Depression When You Have Severe Eczema
The good news is that anxiety and depression are both highly treatable conditions, and addressing them can also help you live better with eczema — and vice versa. Here are some tips for managing these common mental health disorders if you have severe eczema: “Relieving stress and helping with your anxiety or depression will play a positive role in the management of eczema,” says Jafferany. “It’s good for your overall well-being and health.”
