Acne is more than a nuisance for some adolescents
March 16th, 2011 - 2:57 pm ICT by ANIWashington, Mar 16 (ANI): New research has revealed that depression and other psychological disorders may be more prevalent in adolescent acne patients.
Steve Feldman, a professor of Dermatology at Wake Forest Baptist, conducted a systematic review of published literature which found that while most teenagers consider acne to be a cosmetic problem, many others report that acne has a significant impact on their self-esteem and quality of life, often leading to anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.
“With this study, we found that acne is more than skin deep for those aged 13 to 18,” Feldman said. “Depending on how the patient feels about it, acne can have a potentially large and negative impact on their lives or it can have a small affect.”
As a result, Feldman said the presence of these psychological disorders “should be considered in the treatment of acne patients when appropriate.”
Acne doesn’t have to be viewed as a normal rite of passage that goes along with puberty, Feldman said. A strong physician-patient relationship and taking a thorough medical history may help to identify patients at risk for these adverse psychological effects, he added. And for teens who are successfully treated, symptoms of depression can be alleviated and their quality of life improved.
The study appears in Dermatology Online Journal. (ANI)
- Want to get rid of acne? Change your lifestyle - Oct 06, 2010
- Early puberty linked to obesity in girls - Jul 27, 2010
- Good lifestyle habits should be taught even before 13 yrs of age - Dec 31, 2010
- Yoga, medication helps improve asthma symptoms in urban adolescents - Apr 16, 2011
- Low on optimism, self-esteem? Blame a gene - Sep 16, 2011
- Shedding pounds won't help teens' self-esteem - Mar 23, 2012
- The sound of music - a healing therapy - Jun 22, 2011
- Pain of social exclusion can be deep, long-lasting - May 11, 2011
- More research needed to establish Tai Chi's psychological benefits - May 21, 2010
- Abortion does not cause depression or low self-esteem in teens - Sep 25, 2010
- Obese girls show greater poise when happy with their shape - Apr 30, 2012
- Don't reward your kids with sweets - Mar 01, 2011
- Self-esteem rises as people age but starts declining around retirement - Apr 02, 2010
- Early recognition, treatment can control obsessive-compulsive disorder - Apr 02, 2011
- Higher income, better health key to self-esteem - Apr 02, 2010
Tags: acne, acne patients, adolescent acne, adolescents, cosmetic problem, dermatology online journal, medical history, negative impact, nuisance, patient relationship, psychological disorders, psychological effects, puberty, rite of passage, significant impact, steve feldman, suicidal thoughts, symptoms of depression, treatment of acne, wake forest