Our image and self-image is the gateway to establishing a healthy relationship with the way we see ourselves, how others see us and how we would like to be. We constantly make investments in our image, to feel good and in front of others, in a constant process of acceptance of the construction of our identity, which also permeates the way we see ourselves.
Skin diseases can distort the social image that we convey to others, as well as the way we see ourselves in terms of acceptance. When difficulties arise in living with a skin disease, feelings of shame, sadness and social anxiety can make it impossible for sufferers to lead a full and healthy life.
In this way, I created a problem in dealing with what I see, what others see, and what I would like to be. Living at some point in your life with a skin disease is not something so simple to deal with, as it involves a triad conflict, of how we feel, how others feel towards us, and how I would like to be/feel.
This constant struggle can contribute to the worsening of psychological processes inherent to the meaning of life and mood states, such as depressive and anxiety disorders. To the point that the process of acceptance of having a skin disease moves away from the ideal image we desire, internalized prejudice (prejudice against oneself) intensifies and the impoverishment of self-esteem and self-demand increases.
It is possible to consider that emotional problems can arise in anyone's life and can be related to personality characteristics, the way they attribute meanings to what happens to them in any area of their life, and the way they deal with possible conflicts that arise. may arise.
Dealing with our own image is one of humanity's biggest problems, as we distance ourselves from what we really feel about ourselves in order to meet social stereotypes and be accepted by others.
Our self-image is the image we have of ourselves that superimposes our aesthetic and physical appearance and reveals who we really are and how we feel about ourselves. Self-image, when viewed positively, awakens self-confidence, awareness of who we are, what we do and facilitates an improvement in the way of facing life, problems and above all, developing optimism to lead life more calmly.
The depressive and anxious implications of having a skin disease can be represented by constant feelings of shame, low self-esteem, sadness at not feeling accepted, respected, and constant efforts to hide the skin affected by the disease (which makes it easier the development of self-image distortion). Difficulties with sleeping, lack of motivation to go out, develop new activities and projects, are signs of depressive and anxious traits. To the point that the person distances themselves from the relationship with their self-image, consequently distancing themselves from people with the constant fear of being rejected, the target of prejudice through blurred looks and strangeness, predisposing themselves to alleviate symptoms such as anguish, anxiety, irritability , low self-esteem, lack of interest in socializing, difficulties with concentration, feelings of persecution (are they looking or talking about me?), symptoms that can structure the development of depressive and anxious conditions.
Society is not always prepared to deal with differences, and of course this does not justify the constant criticism and questioning that people with skin diseases face. But let's go? Is it appropriate to jump on the wave of criticism from someone who doesn't know your story? Don't you know your interior and your potential? What others need from us is the best version of us, and for that we have to approach a positive vision of who we are and what we want for our lives. So, let's get closer to people and break all the taboos in which prejudice is entangled... remembering that all prejudice is deconstructed by KNOWLEDGE, EMPATHY, and ACCEPTANCE of difference.
It is extremely important to be aware of the feelings we develop for ourselves throughout life, as we will not always go through the path of acceptance or approval from others, but we will always be well faced with challenges due to the way we face life, with feelings of investments in self-esteem, doing what we like, changing our posture in notions of care, valuing aspects that we like about ourselves, our talents, emphasizing our potential with daily purposes, feeding the feelings we have for ourselves in our daily lives.
SHOWING WHAT WE ARE INSIDE TENDS TO BE WORTH MORE THAN THE FANTASY IMAGE THAT THEY BUILD ABOUT US – WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO SURPRISE THE AUDIENCE AND BE THE PROTAGONISTS OF OUR OWN STORY!
How about clarifying your own feelings, listing your own potential, your positive points, points to develop, your own self-image, personality, thus mapping the path of your own development and acceptance? Reflection processes like this can help in defining life goals, pointing out possible unnecessary demands, getting rid of feelings that are not authentic to what we feel for ourselves and awakening a true self, authentic, unique and affective, reconciling us with our history and with our self-esteem.
Seeking help, to follow a path of self-knowledge, can be the channel for self-acceptance and global well-being, in facing the possible difficulties of living with a skin disease… that's right, living together, because having a skin disease doesn't sum up a person's life, because we are much more than a disease, we have a history, we have dreams, we have life goals, we have people who like us for who we are , INSIDE, for what we EXPRESS, for the GOOD FEELINGS that we dedicate to the world.
To the point that we know ourselves, we care less about meeting social stereotypes of ideal image, and we get closer to who we are, what we want to become and the true meaning of existing!
Caique Sousa
Psychologist
caique.santos.sousa@gmail.com
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