Teens with Acne May Have Self-Esteem Issues
Acne, those unsightly pimples that tend to run rampant during the high-hormone teen years, can cause more emotional harm than originally predicted. Based on the results of a variety of study reviews, self-esteem and overall quality of life can be diminished for teens because of acne. Depression and other psychological issues can even arise in teens with acne. Because of the potential for depression in regards to acne in teens, dermatologists are beginning to more greatly consider the mental health of their patients when they come in with acne problems. This observation was stated by Dr. Steven Feldman, a study researcher and dermatology professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Feldman said that acne is a big emotional problem, especially in teens, because they think people will perceive them differently, thus resulting in a lower opinion of themselves which can lead to low self-esteem and depression. Getting acne under control is therefore the key to preventing acne and self-esteem issues from affecting teens as severely. The studies that Feldman and his team reviewed consisted of 16 separate tests that took place from 2001 to 2010. Each examined the connection between teens with acne and their self-esteem, quality of life, personality, potential for psychological disorders, and overall mood.
The findings, unsurprisingly, were that acne generally has a negative impact on teens’ self-esteem and their quality of life. An increased risk for psychological disorders was also noted as a correlation in the study of teens with acne as well. For example, in a study published in 2010 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Feldman and his researchers discovered that depression was two to three times more common in teens with acne than those with clear skin. Also women seem to be more affected by the condition, as two times the number of women with acne were depressed as compared to men with the skin condition.
85% of teens today are affected by acne, though some cases are far milder than others, a statistic that was uncovered during the studies. However, despite this large percentage, not all teens with acne were found to suffer from emotional issues. Perhaps the most important finding from the acne and self-esteem study was that “it’s an individual-by-individual thing,” Feldman said. “Some people have acne and it truly doesn’t bother them.” Teens that fit this description have more confident personalities and are not as concerned about how others perceive them.
This study was published in the Dermatology Online Journal in January 2011. At the time, it was not widely reported. Because of the perceived importance of the studies, however, the researchers only just issued a press release on their findings.
