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Anxiety and psoriasis. Is there a connection?
Psoriasis is a skin condition with genetic, environmental and immune-mediated components. As such, there are a variety of triggers that can cause it to appear. Certain medications, cold weather, an injury to the skin, or even a strep infection may cause psoriasis to appear for the first time or exacerbate existing psoriasis. Additionally, emotional triggers, such as family problems or financial worries, can make your symptoms worse during periods of stress or anxiety.
Scientists have also found that psoriasis patients have a greater number of nerves in their psoriatic skin (compared with normal skin) that release chemical messengers called “neuropeptides.” Physical and psychological stress can stimulate the release of neuropeptides, which can cause pain, itching and inflammation. Based on these observations, stress appears to be one of many psoriasis triggers.
The good news is that there are a variety of methods available that may help you deal with your stress and, in turn, with your psoriasis. Keep in mind, however, that these relaxation techniques work best when combined with traditional medical treatments and their use should be discussed with your dermatologist.
Lose the stress. Gain control.
Learning techniques to help you relax and reduce your levels of stress may help give you a better sense of control over your psoriasis. Listed below are some tried-and-true techniques – and some newer ones – that may help you relieve stress. Pick one that interests you, and be sure to check with your doctor before you get started.
- Yoga combines an established series of body postures and stretches with deep breathing. It is believed that the positions allow muscles to relax and circulation to improve. As a result, stress and tension are released.
- Regular aerobic exercise can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
- Meditation involves focusing the mind on a particular thought, word, object, or even the sound of your own breath or breathing for a certain length of time. Although it’s not entirely clear what effects meditation has on the body, it is believed to reduce muscle tension and to induce a state of relaxation and calm that may help improve some bodily functions, such as blood pressure, heart rate and respiration.
- Tai chi is a carefully choreographed series of movements intended to gently move “chi” or energy through the body. Those who follow it believe that the benefit comes from regular practice and gradual improvements in posture and body alignment. Plus, the meditative nature of the movements is calming and relaxing.
- Biofeedback is a method that uses special monitors to measure bodily functions you normally have no control over, such as blood pressure or heart rate, in order to give you a better understanding of what’s going on in your body and to train you to gain a measure of control over it.
- Massage, whether it’s Swedish, deep-tissue, reflexology, shiatsu or acupressure, can be used as a way to help relieve muscle tension, reduce stress and promote relaxation. It can also be used to relieve and manage chronic and acute pain.
Back to topRelax the mind
Stress can cause your psoriasis to worsen, which in turn can cause more stress. One way to help break this pattern is to learn techniques that help you relax your mind, so you can stop thinking about psoriasis and focus instead on the things that matter—friends, family, and life.
- Meditation relaxes not only your body, but your mind, too. It has been practiced for centuries as part of Eastern religious and spiritual practices, and involves clearing the mind by focusing attention on a specific word or group of words, an object, or just the sound and rhythm of your own breath. Proponents believe that it heightens physical and mental relaxation, enabling you to better deal with thoughts and emotions, which in turn, can help reduce stress.
- Visualization and guided imagery are techniques that teach you to imagine yourself in a peaceful setting, and to use your senses and the power of your imagination to capture the feelings of calm associated with that scene.
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