Because of these factors and how they react with each other, your relationships can have significant strain. Studies have shown that your own self image is reflected in what others think more often than not. Psoriasis can be devastating to your self image. Because you feel unworthy, you believe that others will see you as unworthy. This thought train leads to the exhibition of behaviors that tend to push people away, reinforcing the thought pattern.

With today's society spouting the gold of 'great skin' through a media barrage, you tend to think that you aren't living up to the standards. While it is true that some people may shun a person for such obvious cosmetic reasons, it is not the norm. Many times you will see a non-verbal reaction when meeting new people, how you choose to interpret this is up to you. Negative interpretation will immediately end any chances you had to create a new friendship.

However, if you choose to keep your head up, smile, make eye contact, and be friendly, you may find that you have taken a negative sign and turned it into a positive relationship. As long as you learn that psoriasis is only one small part of who you are, you will project this to others, opening doors to many more paths and friendships along those paths.

Having a thorough understanding of psoriasis will help you take control of the disease, which will give you a sense of power over it. Essentially, psoriasis will not be running your life, you will determine if and where it is allowed to affect you.

When in remission, this is easier to accomplish. It's during outbreaks that you will have to stand tough against the psychological wars that rage in you. During outbreaks, the disorder is often very visible, making a simple trip to the grocery store a psychological strain as you notice 'negative' reactions to the lesions.

People may even attempt to stay away from you because they simply do not know about the disease or whether you are contagious. During this, the hardest psychological time, it is hard to keep from reverting to the belief that your psoriasis defines you.

Having a good support group of friends and family is a great help in maintaining a positive self image during psoriatic outbreaks. Your support group should know the facts and understand the disease in order to be able to give you the support you need. With a web of support under you it is much easier to 'bounce back' after the rejections you face, whether perceived or real. It is necessary for you to learn to watch your perceptions, though.

The more 'rejections' that you face, the harder it is. If you learn to 'think through' your reaction, you may realize that the negativity you saw in someone wasn't directed at you. For example: A woman carrying her child in a store grimaces when she looks your way.

The immediate response is that she's sickened by your psoriasis. However, did you happen to notice that her you child grabbed a handful of her hair just as she turned her eyes your direction? This is simply one example of many misconstrued non-verbal communications. By paying more attention to the details, you will not only have less 'negative experiences,' but your mind will be less occupied with your current physical appearance than it would otherwise be.

Not only that, but you are not having to lean quite as heavily on your support system, which will also improve your self-confidence.

Why the worry about dealing with my stress?

Stress and psoriasis have a known correlation, although the actual link between them is the subject of many theories and has no real answer as of now. What we do know is that any either of stress (physical or emotional) can trigger an outbreak or worsen current symptoms.

Simply having psoriasis is stressful both physically and emotionally. It drains the body and attacks the mind. Because of all this happening inside you, it is especially important that those closest to you become an integral part of your support group. If you have members inside your household who are not on the team, look into outside counseling. Finding relief from negativity is difficult enough, but when you face it inside your own home, it can become unbearable.