Vitiligo and Its Psychological Impact

The Mental Health Tribulation

Vitiligo is a disease that affects 1% of the global population. It equally affects men and women. Vitiligo occurs when an autoimmune process leads to the destruction of melanocytes, the skin’s pigment-producing cells. The result is skin left with white patches (of damage) and darker patches (of normal skin) Our appearance means everything to us, so when it’s damaged, it can negatively harm our self-esteem. All of this can have an irrevocable influence on our psychological state of mind. So Today we will look at Vitiligo and Its Psychological Impact.

The psychological impact of vitiligo:

Depression

Studies have shown that 56.6 % of the population having vitiligo also experience a major depressive disorder.  Depression is a very serious illness with a reported 15 % of individuals dying by suicide every year.

This percentage is even higher and more worrying in vitiligo patients as suicidal tendencies are seen in 28.3% of patients suffering from vitiligo. 

While depression may not have an obvious outward appearance like vitiligo does, we should still work towards actively identifying signs of distress and grief in patients so that adequate psychological help can be provided to them.

Anxiety

Studies report the prevalence of anxiety in patients who suffer from vitiligo to be as high as 76%. Patients are constantly stressed about their physical appearance which can lead to a negative effect on the quality of their life.

 A study shows that 11.3% of people with vitiligo also report panic disorder and 3.8% also suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The anxiety can also stem from the stress that negatively impacts their jobs and hence their livelihood. Like all aspects of our life, even work roles place importance on our exterior appearance, and vitiligo’s negative perceptions in our society can discourage workplaces from hiring people with vitiligo.

Anxiety and panic also stem from the loss of romantic relationships as people fear that it will be difficult for them to find individuals that would want to date them or engage in sexual relations with them.

Studies report that 18% of people who have vitiligo also report sexual dysfunction, stemming from psychological issues. This percentage is found in equal frequency in both male and female patients.

Social Withdrawal

The anxiety and depression can increase to a level where a person with vitiligo might be uncomfortable making public appearances or having a social presence. Hence, individuals may choose to isolate themselves from society.

Studies report that out of all psychiatric disorders, social withdrawal had the highest prevalence with 67.9% of patients reporting social phobia.

Social withdrawal can also occur due to stigma and negative perceptions around the disease, which can lead to people seeking refuge from society. Social humiliation is especially prevalent in children and adolescents with 97% of patients reporting low-key stigmatization. A person exhibiting such behavior must be monitored very closely and, a close family or friend should intervene for the person’s own safety before any self-harm can occur.

How To Deal With The Psychological Impact Of Vitiligo?

Therapy

For depression and anxiety, the gold standard treatment has always been cognitive behavioral therapy. Regularly scheduled visits to trained mental health professionals can help vitiligo patients process their illnesses in a safe environment and allow them to work on solutions for their mental health.

A study reports that cognitive-behavioral therapy and counseling were shown to improve mood and self-esteem in patients with vitiligo. If needed, pharmacologic help can also be used to benefit patients that may need medications to best treat their mental health.

Camouflage techniques

One of the most famous pop stars of our time fondly referred to as “the King of Pop”, Micheal Jackson also suffered from vitiligo. He was known to use makeup to minimize the changes to his appearance, thus keeping his illness a secret from fans until he was ready to announce it. Studies conducted on children report that interventions involving camouflage creams and makeup had a positive effect on the quality of life of patients with vitiligo.

Treating Vitiligo

Vitiligo is an illness, and thus it is essential to directly target the illness to provide relief to patients. This can be done with:

• The use of UVB light has been shown to slow down the progression of vitiligo.
• Corticosteroids are also widely used and are the mainstay of treatment in both children and adults.
• Avoiding the sun and tanning beds to prevent more damage to the skin. The use of sunblock, large hats, and other sun protection modalities is essential.
• Using herbal creams such as Vitiligo Organics, a cream with scientific backing and 1000+ customer testimonials.

Awareness

Patients with vitiligo face society’s stigmatization and bullying. People stop and stare, many think it’s contagious and doesn’t want to be in close proximity to those with vitiligo, out of fear of catching the illness. Many that approach give rude, unsolicited opinions without any care about the patient’s state of mind.

Since stigmatization and bullying are found at the highest in populations of children and adolescents awareness sessions held at school are necessary to teach other students how to be kind and empathetic towards their fellow students. The sessions would greatly benefit students by addressing misinformation about the disease and offering a proper learning environment for proper information and knowledge about vitiligo.

Conclusion

Vitiligo is not a death sentence though it may often feel that way for patients. It is vital that while treating vitiligo itself, via corticosteroids and advanced UV therapy, we must always pay heed to a patient’s psychological condition.

Depression, suicide, and social phobia prevalence in vitiligo patients are worrisome, and it is vital that significant interventions take place to encourage a healthy mental state. Vitiligo patients must know, that they are more than the white patches on their skin. They are more than the condition of their skin. They are more than their illness.