From the physiological aspect, our skin s an organ that is associated with our emotions. When we are mentally well, and positive our skin glows naturally. But when we get depressed, our skin looks dull and dehydrated. Redness, inflammation, sweating, itching is the outcome of our somatic stimulation. When we are in a negative mental state, we found our body is fragile. Researchers and clinicians perform many scientific studies to prove the relation between our mental health and skin condition. The human epidermis exhibits an immediate reaction to stress and anxiety. For that, some researchers call it “The Brain-Skin Connection.”
This article emphasizes how our negative thinking, stress, and anxiety make our skin dull and dehydrated, even worse than the pre-existing skin condition.
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How do stress and anxiety make your pre-existing skin condition severe?
We found that mental or emotional stress negatively influences our skin condition, and this is due to somatic activation. In a stressed-out condition, hormonal fluctuation promotes inflammation. Hormonal relapse reduces the blood flow to our skin, inflames skin nerves, increases irritation, and shows an allergic reaction. Neurologists measure our skin condition based on neuroendocrine and immunological parameters.
Furthermore, our skin sends signals to our immune system to fight. Our immunity system response to it and cause skin inflammation such as Psoriasis, Acne, Rosacea. Our negative emotions are used to trigger a vicious circle. At this point in time, the Lipid layer of our skin barrier, which is the main moisturizing power of our skin, reduces; therefore, our skin looks dry.
Dehydration and lack of moisturization slow down the skin repairing and restoration process.
According to Scientific paper “Gupta and Gupta 2001), patients with dermatological problems show an increased rate of Comorbid Major Depressive disorder (MDD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Post-Traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Social phobia.
To treat all these mental disorders, a consultant psychiatrist prescribes anxiolytic and anti-depressant medicines.
Anxiety and stress are associated with scarring
Have you heard about Tic’s behavior? It is the habit of pulling hair or picking up the skin. It can show serious skin problems, including scarring. According to senior dermatologist Abigail Waldman, the problem comes from constant destructive thoughts of your mind; if the problem is being ignored for a long time, it may cause something severe and permanent. People with Tic behavior drive their own balding by pulling out their hair, scratching their skin, and pulling out a small amount of skin. These are the symptoms of a mental disorder; Trichotillomania. According to a senior consultant psychiatrist, 0.6-4 % of adults suffer from Trichotillomania. The reason for these diseases is still not being found properly. But according to medical assumptions, excessive stress and anxiety are responsible for Tic disorder. When patient scratches their skin, that might lead to infection, wounds, scars.
Stress causes acne flare-ups & worsens pre-existing skin problems
When you are under mental stress, your skin reflects it.
Acne, Psoriasis, eczema are the common symptoms of your bad mood. When you are under negative mental pressure, the concentration of cortisol hormone gets increases and stimulates your immune system. A trigger of the immune system shows an allergic reaction, redness, inflammation on your skin.
Mental stress, anxiety, and skin problems belong in an inseparable cyclic relationship. Patients with frequent skin problems have a higher instance of social avoidance and panic attack. Stress and skin problems are interconnected; it has been proved that mental health, anger, anxiety, stress negatively influence your skin. If you have chronic skin problems, that could be associated with mental dissatisfaction. Consult with both dermatologists and psychiatrists for better diagnosis and treatment.
Anxiety increases your hair-fall problems
Telogen effluvium is a hair growth abnormality, where hair follicles that grow hair drop, resulting in immense hair loss. Usually, our hair has a particular pattern of growth, falling out and rising again and again. But in the case of Telogen disorder, a small number of hairs follow this pattern, and hair on the scalp becomes thinner, causes baldness. The actual reason is not completely understood, but their appearance is associated with chronic stress, anxiety. Neurologist speculates that your hair may not get enough energy to grow when your body is absorbed with stress.
Many of us get clumps of hair on our room, floor, or in the washroom at the beginning stage. When you are struggling with extreme hair fall, you should talk to your doctor, and he will provide you some blood tests like TSH, Corticosteroid tests. It will also help you measure your stress level. The doctor will treat it with medication, proper lifestyle, and stress management. To avoid hair, fall problems you should maintain a healthy diet with enough protein.
Lack of sleep and anxiety makes your skin dull
Lack of sound sleep and mental stress dehydrates your skin. Both of these cause puffy eyes and dark circles. Eight hours of deep sleep reduces the anxiety and stress level, and it can bring back the freshness of your skin.
The best skin doctor in Dubai suggests Sound sleep, cleansing, and moisturization. These three things will help you to get back your youthful skin. To get flawless skin, superficial care is not enough. You have to calm and relax your mind. For better results, you must practice mindfulness.