Stress is often indicated as one of the main factors to trigger or promote psoriasis flare-ups. But don't mix up the facts or jump to any conclusions too quickly! Stress is one of a range of contributing factors.
Summary
It is clear that stress causes psoriasis flare-ups in some people (back-to-school, change of job, school or university exams, etc.); for others, the causal link is less obvious, and sometimes it is not present at all. There's nothing worse you can say to someone covered in psoriasis plaques than "It's nothing, it's your stress which brings out the plaques". No, psoriasis is not the physical expression of deep stress or unhappiness. No, psoriasis is not a psychosomatic disease. First and foremost, psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin and/or joints.
Therefore, stress can sometimes have an effect on psoriasis, but for its part, psoriasis can also have an effect on stress. If you have psoriasis, you have to undergo treatment and take care of your skin every day. Having psoriasis is also about waking up every morning and wondering what your skin will look like that day. All this can lead to a certain amount of stress. Thus the combination of stress and psoriasis can create a true vicious cycle.
How can I fight stress when I have psoriasis? There are various techniques available, such as sophrology, yoga, meditation, etc. Exercising is also a good way of relieving tension. Every day, as soon as you have a stressful thought, close your eyes for a moment, take a deep breath, think of something positive, play with a stress ball, listen to music, etc. Everyone has their own ways of dealing with stress and moving forward. Do not try to deal with stress by smoking and drinking more heavily, as these two substances can both aggravate psoriasis.
