Why Family Friends and Society Support is Most Needed for a Psoriasis Patient?

When an individual encounters a diagnosis of psoriasis, a skin condition marked by the rapid buildup of cells causing scaling on the skin’s surface, it undoubtedly becomes a pivotal moment in their life. But this journey is not to be trodden alone. The interconnected webs of family, friends, and society play an indispensable role in curating a supportive environment for a psoriasis patient. This substantial support system is not just an emotional pillar but also a structural framework ensuring that each step towards management and potential remission is a collective effort.

Understanding Psoriasis: An Unseen Burden

Embracing the responsibility of standing by a loved one facing psoriasis entails recognizing the unseen burden. Psoriasis is not merely a physical ailment, but a psychological struggle, a social challenge, and an emotional upheaval.

Comprehending the intricate facets of psoriasis, such as its unpredictability, its persistent nature, and its potential to branch into comorbidities like psoriatic arthritis, ensures that our support is aligned with empathy and authenticity. By delving deep into the lived experiences of patients and equipping ourselves with reliable information, we lay the groundwork for a nurturing sanctuary that can ease the multifaceted difficulties intertwined with psoriasis.

Embarking on a Collective Journey Towards Emotional Wellness

The emotional wellness of a psoriasis patient is a collective endeavor. The tendrils of emotional support envelop not just the patient but extend to those who surround them.

• Building Emotional Resilience: Encouraging open dialogues where feelings, fears, and frustrations can be shared without judgment paves the way for building emotional resilience. Adopting a sensitive and understanding demeanor ensures that the patient navigates through their emotional fluctuations with robust support.
• Developing Positive Frameworks: Engaging in developing positive frameworks and narratives around psoriasis and its impact on life, ensures the emotional climate remains conducive to the mental well-being of the patient.
• Prioritizing Mental Health: It’s vital to prioritize mental health by actively participating in the patient’s psychological journey, ensuring they have access to mental health resources, and consistently reinforcing the importance of mental wellness in the management of psoriasis.

Constructing a Scaffold of Practical Support

Providing practical support for a psoriasis patient encapsulates an array of actions and adaptive strategies that ease their day-to-day life and medical management.

• Assisting in Treatment Management: Supporting a loved one in managing their treatment plan, adhering to medication schedules, and ensuring that they attend their medical appointments is an invaluable pillar of practical support.
• Adapting the Living Environment: Modifying the home and living environment to be conducive for the patient, such as ensuring easy access to skincare products, maintaining optimal humidity to prevent skin dryness, and ensuring that their living space is comfortable and adaptable to their needs, is quintessential.
• Advocating for their Needs: Becoming an active advocate for their needs, especially in external environments like workplaces, educational institutions, and social gatherings, safeguards their rights and ensures that their journey is respected and acknowledged.

Facilitating Social Integration and Empowerment

Social support transcends beyond the walls of homes and personal relationships, integrating itself into the larger societal framework.

• Championing Social Inclusion: Advocating for inclusivity and raising awareness about psoriasis within various social circles cultivates a healthy environment where a psoriasis patient feels seen, heard, and valued.
• Engaging in Advocacy and Awareness: Participating in platforms that promote psoriasis awareness, dispelling myths and misconceptions about the condition, and contributing towards shaping informed perspectives within society facilitates broader social support.
• Fostering Community Connections: Encouraging and facilitating the patient’s connection with various psoriasis communities, support groups, and networks enables them to find solace in shared experiences and gain insights from the collective wisdom of those on similar journeys.

Navigating through Empathy, Patience, and Perseverance

Embarking on this collective journey entails navigating through empathy, patience, and perseverance. The manifestation of support spans through every smile shared in joy, every tear wiped in sorrow, and every milestone celebrated in triumph. In doing so, we, as families, friends, and society, embed ourselves into the very essence of the support system, navigating through the ebbs and flows of the psoriasis journey with unwavering solidarity.

Every step taken, whether it’s a stride towards emotional wellness, a gesture of practical support, or a leap towards social empowerment, is a testament to the resilient support network that stands undeterred against the challenges posed by psoriasis.

In the vast panorama of psoriasis support, every single action, word, and sentiment echoes within the symphony of collective effort, amplifying a message of love, support, and unyielding strength that propels the journey forward, towards hope, healing, and holistic wellness.

References

1. Ghorbanibirgani A, Fallahi-Khoshknab M, Zarea K, Abedi H. The Lived Experience of Psoriasis Patients from Social Stigma and Rejection: A Qualitative Study. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2016 May 21;18(7):e27893. doi: 10.5812/ircmj.27893. PMID: 27656290; PMCID: PMC5026766.
2. Blackstone B, Patel R, Bewley A. Assessing and Improving Psychological Well-Being in Psoriasis: Considerations for the Clinician. Psoriasis (Auckl). 2022 Mar 25;12:25-33. doi: 10.2147/PTT.S328447. PMID: 35371967; PMCID: PMC8965012.
3. Łakuta P, Marcinkiewicz K, Bergler-Czop B, Brzezińska-Wcisło L. How does stigma affect people with psoriasis?. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postępy Dermatologii i Alergologii. 2017;34(1):36-41. doi:10.5114/pdia.2016.62286.
4. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/family-friends