It’s strange how those without acne will never really understand the extent to which acne patients suffer. I spoke about elements of this suffering in prior posts entitled, “Control Issues”, “The Agony of Defeat”, and “Do You Feel Unclean”

The reason they will never understand is because many other common ailments of the body do not come with the same type of embarrassment, self loathing, and shame. Think about it, what other condition makes you uncomfortable to show your face to the world for years at a time?
It’s the location, the stigma, the discomfort, and the persistence of acne that make it a more emotionally damaging situation.


In this post, I’d like to address the emotional effects of Social Isolation. Completely isolating oneself from family and friends can be one of the most damaging scenarios for the human psyche. It conflicts with all that is in our human nature to express ourselves and to connect with others. The impact is far more traumatic than people realize.

My hope is that by breaking down and studying these common emotional reactions, future sufferers will be able to observe more, and react less.

Let’s start with a classic example of the power of social isolation:

When dealing with inmates in a maximum security prison, guards and prison operators have difficulty disciplining lifetime prisoners who have nothing to lose and zero fear. Verbal threats are useless, they can’t withhold food, and they can’t use any force that would be considered inhumane. When dealing with fearless inmates, they really only have one main weapon that actually instills real fear in the toughest of souls. They call it, “solitary confinement”, and it has been used in prisons for centuries. The psychological effects of being locked by yourself with only your own thoughts day after day is so unbelievably painful that an otherwise fearless inmate often will do whatever it takes to never go back.

For those reading this who do not yet understand the impact acne has on our culture, imagine this situation for a moment:


It starts when, lets say Tammy, skips a big party with all her friends because she has a big inflamed bump on her face and it makes her feel uncomfortable and unable to act like herself. This initial trauma is not soon forgotten. If she is unlucky, more come and she finds herself skipping all kinds of social events, confining herself in her room while life is buzzing all around her. These days, the computer helps with the loneliness, and Tammy finds herself reading how to eat perfectly and fight her ailment online. Unfortunately, the quick tips and tricks she reads do not bring satisfaction and Tammy begins the downward psychological spiral of social isolation. Her friends are being pushed away and her personality is completely inhibited by either an obsession to be cured or by apathy and resignation. This pain not only keeps her from achieving her dreams, it also deeply traumatizes her in ways that may not shake off so easily, even when her skin problem is fixed.


Just like in the prison, solitary confinement can destroy the mind of an acne sufferer at any age, regardless of the severity. Imagine how many people today are still living in fear of expressing themselves, fear of reasonable food, and fear of being seen by anyone they know. In bigger cases, even completely uncomfortable being seen by strangers in any location.


Imagine how many people are being needlessly traumatized by this condition as we speak. Now imagine the impact that hoards of people being traumatized does to our culture as a whole. I used to say in the videos, “Needless suffering hurts us all”. What I meant by that was with so many people suffering and isolating themselves, the entire culture and community is brought down by apathy, pessimism, depression, cynicism, and fear. When someone creates something new or great, those who are depressed can not see what is possible for themselves or for others. The inability to see possibility certainly hurts us all. How will we improve upon anything from this perspective?


I’d like to say something to our global community as an unrefuted proven reality. I’d like to say it loud and clear in an effort to stop the type of suffering that I call “needless”.

“If you are suffering from an ailment that has been fixed in thousands of other people, know that you are needlessly suffering at this time. The only thing that can keep you from finding relief is the mistaken idea that your case is special. Once you think your case is the magical exception, the pursuit of victory is immediately cut short. It won’t be easy to drag yourself out of the hole, but know that if many others have done it, you can do it too. This reality is irrefutable and has been proven countless times for all types of ailments.”


As I say in the practice all the time…, “I’m sorry, but your treatable case will not get to be special”


I hope this post brings further awareness to the real dangers of social isolation. Please share it will those who don’t yet understand the impact this condition is having on our global community.

be well,
-Dr. Neal

©2011 “Solitary Confinement” by Dr. Neal Schwartz

While helping people with chronic conditions for the past 10 years, I have been thrust into a position to work with all sides of our humanity. Specifically, the very common situations of Depression and Anxiety. Through my personal experience and while working with countless others, I have developed a vast arsenal of weapons to fight this powerful force of nature. I’d like to share my experience on this blog to help those who still find themselves searching for balance.


My healing philosophy is called E²
It’s made up from the terms “Energetics” and “Expressivity”

Energetics: (Energy and Movement)

I have observed that anyone who sits most of the day and does not exercise every single day will eventually decompensate emotionally. This reality of the natural world is not really negotiable. In my opinion, it is a matter of fact, universal consequence of a seated culture. The only aspect that is negotiable is whether it happens today, tomorrow, or next year. If you watch The Discovery Channel, you will see that the animal kingdom has evolved to constantly move around. Once anyone sees the objective nature of this reality, they will be in a strong position to do what is necessary to find control of their lives.
To take action: see the crossfit category of the blog. (or the crossfit for beginners category)

Expressivity: (Expression and Emotional Release)


As we all know, being athletic is not the only key to happiness. As social beings, we are interactive, expressive, and in need of heart-felt connections to survive. While relationships are not created instantaneously, there are many other ways to express one’s self.
Some common examples are dance class, acting class, singing class, karaoke, etc. My favorite is learning how to accompany your own voice with newly aquired guitar or piano skills.
While challenging, you need to know that millions of people all over the world are learning how to play and sing cover songs every day. Its not quite as difficult as you may imagine.
Since I wrote the post, “Anyone Can Play Guitar”, I have taught many people how to join in on the action that I finally found at age 29.

I want to share with you an intimate moment from this past holiday season that illustrates the dramatic emotional power of music therapy.
I’ll set the scene:
I just met the lead guitarist Eric that day and the drummer is a keyboardist who was experimenting on two drums. The real music therapy story however lies with my buddy Alex who was playing the harmonica. He’s a 36 year old full time professional who had never played music in his life. In an effort to enrich his life, he bought a harmonica and amazingly was able to seemlessly join the session after playing for only 3 weeks…!
Watch his face at the end of the jam as he miraculously turns from a non-musician into a musician. This level of transformation is truly a healing phenomenon.
Try not to let the modern business of music or any critic sway you from this human need to express. It is vital to emotional wellness. Watch his face at the end of the jam, it’s amazing…





I wrote that song during a rough patch a few years ago when my skin was bugging me, my energy was low from being overworked, and my expression level was not high enough.

Here’s the lyrics if anyone is feeling it:


“Let me go”


I run for miles and I can talk through smiles,
I guess I’m alright.
you never know,
I can’t be so right.
you’d tell me so, oh


I made you holler,
I’ve been, concocting knowledge,
I am sorry, to let me go.
I meant to call you,
to let you know,


that it’s time, It’s time to let me go.
cause this fight, It’s all I really know.


I run for miles and I can’t find my smile,
this can’t be alright.
I think it shows.
you’re always brighter, girl, but,
it don’t work no more. no


I feel you standing with your,
hair it’s landing across my shoulder.
but not this time, you know I’m trying, girl, but,
there ain’t no light.


cause it’s time, It’s time to let me go.
cause this fight, It’s all I really know.


run for cover, run for cover.
leave me there in the morning.
run for cover, run for cover.
don’t ask me why in the morning.


oh it’s time, it’s time to let me go.
cause this fight, it’s all I really know.










©2011 “Anxiety and Depression: A Study of Our Humanity” by Dr. Neal Schwartz

One of the most baffling phenomena in the world of acne is the physical sensation of feeling unhygienic despite great efforts to get clean.

While the aesthetic challenges, the physical pain, and the failing doctor’s visits will eventually drive anyone mad, I’ve found personally, and through watching others, that the inability to attain the sensation of being clean despite relentless efforts can be the straw that breaks one’s mind.

There are millions of good people taking showers with soaps and medications only to feel completely grimy and dirty within hours or even minutes after coming out of the shower?!??

What in the world is going on when a regular shower “doesn’t take”??

This post was inspired by my shower this morning…. I got out of the shower, dried off, and felt more clean than I have in years. I then grieved for the 20 years of needless subtle suffering I had endured while living a young life uncomfortable and unclean despite taking two showers a day.

(listen to my story here)

If you feel unclean despite taking multiple showers every day, do not be baffled or surprised. You are one of millons who are living your journey through the haze of this relentless grime. It can make you moody and angry sometimes. Do not be surprised if you snap at people or criticize those around you.

As a clue to your state of mind, know that the more critical you are, the more depressed you are becoming. Consider the possibility that your inability to get clean is making you unconsciously bitter.

There are many emotional phenomena surrounding this sensitive condition. I hope this post gives you insight into your own emotional reactions and helps you get your head around this maze-like situation.

As a red flag for life, if you have a family member or friend who frequently acts bitter, angry, upset, critical, or generally uncharming, consider that they may be living a life that is physically uncomfortable despite not having any obvious injury or disease. We are sensitive creatures and there are millions of nerves on the skin. The constant firing of these nerves can create real torture for those who have not been able to break the chronic cycle for years.

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©2010 “Do you feel Unclean??” by Dr. Neal Schwartz

Although very different situations, there are a surprising number of similarities between the struggle to get healthy skin and the struggle to get a healthy body. I’m going to map out similarities and differences here with the intention of giving people some insight into their own emotional reactions when dealing with difficult challenges of life.

We’ll start with interesting similarities:

1) Emotional imbalance will eventually develop in all cases.

-sooner or later, long term obesity and chronic acne can tweak the mind of any normal human being. Once an emotional problem has set in, treatment becomes even more challenging.

2) They are both 100% treatable:

-All Obese patients can get in shape as proven by the show “The Biggest Loser”

-All Acne Patients can safely get clear as proven by the medical project, “The Acne Practice”

3) Both Obesity and Acne are Self-Vicitimizing Situations:

-Obese patients have been blaming “Glandular and Genetic Problems” for their obesity for decades.
(This notion has since been disproven by the show “The Biggest Loser”)

-Acne patients display the exact same type of self-victimization using “Hormonal Imbalances or Bad Genetics”
(This notion has since been disproven by “The Acne Practice”)

4) Western Medicine often fails them both:

-5 minutes with the doctor is often not enough to “cure” obesity.
-5 minutes with the doctor is often not enough to “cure” chronic resistant acne

5) Eastern Medicine often fails them both also.

-An enthusiastic caring practitioner seen once a week or once a month is sometimes not enough. These two conditions can be very stubborn.

6) The Situation is Underestimated

-Frustration develops when obese patients can’t get victory. This frustration is generated from an expectation that it “should” happen from whatever efforts they are making.

-Frustration develops in acne patients when a 20 dollar bottle of cream does not transform their entire life. Acne patients are notorious for underestimating the difficulty of their situation. (large companies have been catering to this magical thinking for decades)

7) Both utilize a losing mentality to protect themselves from more heartache and pain:

-When beat down many times by failure despite great efforts, both obese patients and acne patients can become apathetic or defeated. When this emotional phenomenon takes hold, it takes an enormous amount of energy to wake them up to the reality that these situations are always treatable. (and thus the need for the show “The Biggest Loser” and the 120 videos in “The Acne Practice”)

These similarities can make obesity, acne, and all other treatable chronic conditions behave like the same chronic condition.
The emotional reactions are rooted in both Control Issues and The Agony of Defeat.

However, despite the similar heartache and reactions, acne and obesity have many differences that should be illustrated here as well.

1) Hands Down, Chronic Acne is trickier.

From Richard Simmons to that Tae Bo guy, there have been successful practitioners of fitness that have proven over and over again that anyone who really wants it can get fit.
However, until this recent project started in 2007, there has never been an acne expert who could really prove all forms of acne are safely treatable.
Poorly backed up claims and imaginative theories have ruled this field mainly due to the difficulty of getting solid results without taking chemotherapeutic levels of medications.
For this reason alone, Acne has proven to be the tougher condition to beat.

2) Motivation:

While there are still many motivated obese patients temporarily losing the battle of fitness at this time, the motivation of a chronic acne sufferer is often times more comparable to that of an olympic athlete. Acne suffers will often do anything to get clear including extremes of nutritional restriction, application of topicals, avoidance of aggravating situations, and spending every hard earned cent they gather. When referring to the ultra-motivated group of patients, Acne sufferers are very different from obese patients.

3) Cost:

-While fitness may require great personal training and coaching for some people, no group of suffering souls has collectively spent more money on themselves than the acne patients. On numerous occasions, I’ve had patients tell me they have already spent over 20 thousand dollars unsuccessfully trying to fix their skin.

Bottom Line:
While Obesity and Acne have remarkable emotional and self-vicitmizing similarities, Acne has proven to be a much trickier situation to conquer.
Fortunately, due to shows like “The Biggest Loser” and “The Acne Practice”, we all now know that both situations are treatable in 100% of cases.
There are no exceptions to this rule and no amount of self-vicitmization or hopelessness will ever refute what these two projects have already proven.

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©2010 “Acne vs. Obesity: A study of our humanity” by Dr. Neal Schwartz

There is nothing tougher than trying to plan the perfect wedding with skin that is completely unpredictable. Fear of being the center of attention during a very romantic celebration is often times too much for an acne sufferer to bear.

The lesson of this blog post is that skin that feels unpredictable is not really in good control.

Real control comes with it a sense of confidence and a lowered level of anxiety, allowing one to focus on other aspects of life. (like the flowers and catering for the reception…)

When you watch this video, you can really feel how her anxiety vanishes once her skin is in total control.

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©2010 “Wedding Day Anxiety?” by Dr. Neal Schwartz