The aesthetic and beauty conversation surrounding healthy skin often times can obscure the real emotional issue of chronic active acne.  Although these other issues are real and distracting,  the main issue here is one of control.  If something breaks in your body, it’s always very reassuring to know that you can find a medication, a service, or a lifestyle change that can help you get back to normal.  

    However,  when you are diligently making major efforts with all possible resources available and finding no relief,  a real anxiety will arise.

   I observe the classic anxiety that arises with chronic acne as a predictable consequence of this condition regardless of the original strength of one’s character.   If you are feeling anxious about your acne that has not yet been controlled using standard treatment,  try not to get down on yourself for it.  It’s extremely common, predictable, and reversible.  Your anxiety, frustation, fear, depression, and eventual hopelessness have all been witnessed before.  I’m writing this post to help people observe their own emotional reactions.  As you become more self-observant, you will find yourself less reactive and more keen to your own feelings and actions.

This control issue is also one of the reasons why those without chronic acne will find it difficult to ever really understand what it is you are going through.   

Here’s an example of the distinction between aesthetic issues and the bigger issue of control:

If someone gets hit in the face and takes a small superficial wound on their cheek, they will likely be upset.  This upset will likely manifest as anger, annoyance, and then quickly resolve into acceptance as it appears there will be minimal permanent damage. 

In contrast,  If an acne patient gets the same size pimple on their cheek at the same time,  they will not go through the stages of grief properly because there is a another issue in the mix.  Although the temporary aesthetic problem may be similar,  there are many differences:

1)  They may be ashamed at the stigma of having acne.   

2)  They don’t really know why it came up in the first place.  

3)  They don’t know when the next wound will be coming.

4)  They are doubly frustrated since they are already eating well and using many acne medications. 

This example was put here to show the differences between aesthetic concerns and control issues. 

If someone close to you does not understand why you are getting upset about your acne problem,  clue them into the real issue of persistent acne. 

This is not a superficial problem.   It is a physical and emotional issue of control.

   You can observe this issue in the videos as the anxiety changes from week to week.   The reason things have changed is not only because their skin looks much nicer.  They are calmed down by the reality that they have regained control of their lives.   Listen closely for the transformation.

Hope this helps, 

-Dr. Neal

©2009   “Control Issues…”      by    Dr. Neal Schwartz