Managing and treating psoriasis may help reduce anxiety and vice versa.
Read on to learn more about the link between psoriasis and anxiety and how to manage it.
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Whats the Link Between Psoriasis and Anxiety?
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Anxiety can increase the severity of psoriasis.
This is a relatively new field of study, calledpsychodermatology, and is an ongoing area of research.
These may include relaxation techniques, therapy, and lifestyle changes.
Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation andmindfulness techniquesmay help manage both your anxiety and psoriasis.
A 2020 study examined the effects of relaxation therapy on people with psoriasis.
In CBT, a person learns how their maladaptive (negative) thoughts impact their behavior.
Not only is CBT proven to help with anxiety, but it can also improve psoriasis symptoms.
Getting Enough Sleep
People with psoriasis often have sleep problems, which can worsen anxiety.
It’s important to get enough sleep to manage your anxiety and let your body rest and heal overnight.
Unfortunately, painful, itchy lesions or sore joints may make sleep more difficult.
Some tips to getting better sleep include:
Exercise
Getting regular exercise can improve your anxiety.
Confiding in loved ones about your experience or joining an in-person or online psoriasis or anxietysupport groupmay also help.
Summary
People with psoriasis are more likely to have anxiety than the general public.
Research shows that treating psoriasis can improve anxiety.
Therefore, following your medication and psoriasis treatment plan is an important part of managing anxiety.
A Word From Verywell
Having psoriasis is undoubtedly stressful.
Know that co-occurring anxiety is common, and you’re not alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Psoriasis can lead to anxiety through both environmental and biological pathways.
Biologically, the inflammatory pathways involved in psoriasis and anxiety are similar.
First, follow your prescribed medication and moisturizing treatment regimen for your psoriasis.
Plaque psoriasisis the most common jot down of psoriasis.
Like other types of psoriasis, it is an autoimmune skin disease.
Plaque psoriasis appears as patches of raised, itchy, inflamed, and flaky skin.
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