Psoriasis in combination with vitiligo and daily life

Psoriasis pretty much affected my live in a severe way since it was discovered on age of thirteen in combination with vitiligo. Before psoriasis was diagnosed I was a busy, happy, boy enjoying life in every way. I was an actor at that age and performed in a lot of plays at school and played at the local theatre. After the diagnoses I got a shy, closed and pretty messed up guy. I was ashamed felt ugly, got hyperventilation and anxiety attacks. Life became a daily struggle and I wasn't able to enjoy life. The dermatologist at that time told me there was no cure and pretty much told me to accept it and that was it. That was such a disappointment too; my thrust in medical treatment vanished immediately.

Years went by and living in my own save world meant that I wasn't really living for years. Talking to a psychologist at my 29th helped me accepting this disease and helped me to find trust again. With her help I start visiting a dermatologist again and she advised me to start talking about my psoriasis. Now I write about psoriasis at my blog, I started talking about it to friends and family and even at work about my 'big secret'. Surprisingly it helped me in such a great way to start living again! People react positive and understanding.

There is a reason to tell this story. I haven't been living for almost 17 years, missed a lot in life. I hope dermatologists are aware of the role they play in giving people hope and faith and confidence. If my dermatologist at the age of thirteen had taken my condition serious at the time it would have helped me dealing with psoriasis. Sure there was still a road to take in accepting the disease and find a good way to live with psoriasis.

I am now thirty years old and finally I feel alive again! Still struggle with psoriasis and vitiligo every day, but at least I have thrust again, talk to people and start living :-)

Sebastiaan, Netherlands (I realize my English is far from perfect but I guess better then your Dutch ;-))