Do you feel psoriasis affects your self-esteem?

I've had psoriasis since 1998 when I woke up one morning covered head to foot in it. I had light treatment uvb and it cleared it up except my knees and elbows. Then spent the reminding years until 2014 plodding along using creams such as dovonex and dovobet. After a pregnancy where it almost completely went. I had a big flare up where again I was covered so went back to the doctors ended up asking my GP after a few months of creams exactly how much do I need to have to be referred to the hospital demertologist needless to say she did then do the referral. When I went to the hospital they only looked at abit and instantly agreed to send me back for light treatment. I started uvb treatment and it started to clear but some was being very stubborn so they changed me to puva (UVA with tablets) this then caused it to all begin clearing and now I'm pleased to say I have most got it on my knees but continue with the puva for abit longer to clear it as it is clearing yayyyyyyy. I'm hoping for the first time in ages I will be completely clear in the next month. 

Anyone else have any issues with lack of GP knowledge on psoriasis? 

Just to update i am now nearly clear (99%) of psorasis after having PUVA for the first time in ages!!!!! 

@Kezzad the GPs I think don't even want to get informed.... allways struggle. I am really glad your medication i working, maybe it is a good alternative, are you completely clear now???

Guys don't forget about this conversation! It is really interesting.

All the best,

Gilda 

My psoriasis started in my nails in 1983.  I had never had it at all, but I had a severe car accident - found myself on the wrong end of an argument with a 32 ton lorry, not recommended.

I was in hospital with a broken spine and the associated operations for months on end, and a very shortly after admission, I noticed white spots in my nails.  This was the first sign.  From there it affected all my nails, my scalp, ears, and all the 'protrusions', elbows, knees, and so on.  It also forms on everywhere the skin has been significantly broken, so all my operation scars, the scars where I have injured myself with the falls I have regularly and so on.

Although I used to be really paranoid about it being on show, as I have got older, I don't really bother anymore.  I am grateful it is not on my face, and Alphosyl shampoo keeps it at bay on the scalp.

That said, this latest outbreak of Erythrodermic Psoriasis is something else again.  For the first time for years I am conscious of the stares.

When I am stressed I find that the psoriasis sprouts up all over my face. It looks pure evil. I hate it.

I have been going to counceling to deal with self image problems and even though it is hard, we have to try to accep urselves like this and don't blame us for what is happening.

Counceling is really good, so I've heard. I go to a yoga class that consists only of meditation, but they call it yoga, and they make us reflect about ourselves and self love. It has helped me a lot, and people are really comprehensive and supportive. I would really advice to do something like that, it helps to be in peace with one self

when my psoriasis is sore i use dermol 500 lotion i put loads and loads on it help with being able to move im 23 year old i should be out and about!