continued...
4. Express how you feel about your psoriasis.
Explaining the disease isn't just about imparting information. It's also about feeling comfortable being open and honest with important people in your life. "Especially with someone you feel close to, it's OK to express your feelings," says Nelligan. Having people you can talk to will help reduce the stress of living with psoriasis. "That's important, since stress can trigger flare-ups of the disease," Cornish points out.
5. Follow up the conversation later.
In some cases, people may not know how to respond at first. They may need time to feel comfortable about asking questions. If your first conversation feels awkward, find an opportunity to bring the subject up again. With people you see frequently, keep the lines of communication open. Psoriasis is something you usually have to deal with every day. Treatments can be time consuming and stressful. You should feel comfortable sharing your everyday experiences with people close to you.
6. Accept yourself with psoriasis.
If people respect and care about you, they will be understanding and sympathetic. If someone has a problem with the fact that you have psoriasis, remember that it's their problem, not yours. "No one is perfect," says Nelligan. "All of us have issues. If someone can't accept you for who you are, then the relationship isn't meant to be."
