Managing Your Emotional Health With Vitiligo

If you have vitiligo — an autoimmune condition that causes skin to lose color in patches — you likely know that it’s more than just a cosmetic problem. Although vitiligo isn’t contagious or fatal, it is a chronic condition that can have a psychological impact because it’s so visible to others.

However, while vitiligo can affect your well-being, there are ways to live confidently with the condition. Read on for tips on how to cope.

According to Mohammad Jafferany, MD, professor of psychodermatology, psychiatry, and behavioral sciences at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, vitiligo is classified as a secondary psychiatric disorder, meaning that the psychological consequences of vitiligo affect those who have it as much as or even more than the physical consequences. Vitiligo can interfere with almost every aspect of a person’s life: career, relationships, identity, behavior, habits, and mental and emotional health.

“Some people just stop going outside or working to avoid stigma and meeting with people,” Dr. Jafferany says. As a result, they may experience loneliness, social isolation, and in more severe cases, suicidal thoughts and ideation.

Many people mistakenly think vitiligo is contagious. People with vitiligo are especially prone to experiencing discrimination, loss of privileges and opportunities, and difficulty progressing in different aspects of their lives owing to their appearance.

Despite how disruptive living with vitiligo can be, you can take control of your experience and thrive with this condition. Consider these strategies:

Acknowledge Your Feelings

Vitiligo can make you feel self-conscious, which can be difficult. But rather than ignore these feelings, it’s better to own them, says Brett King, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Yale Dermatology in Middlebury, Connecticut, and associate professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine.

“Too often, people with vitiligo hear things like, ‘It could be worse,’ or ‘You could have cancer,’” Dr. King says. Although they might mean well, people who make such statements can dismiss your feelings. Rather than discounting yourself, acknowledge your emotions.

Learn About Your Condition

Understanding your symptoms and potential treatment options can make you feel more in control of the condition and overall health. “A basic understanding of what causes skin-color change in vitiligo is an essential step toward building self-confidence,” Jafferany says.

With more knowledge, you can become your own advocate, identifying and dispelling myths about vitiligo — including those that could affect your mood and confidence — and informing yourself about treatment options.

You can also help educate others. If you notice people staring at you, for example, King recommends saying something like, “I see you noticed the white spots on my skin. I have a condition called vitiligo, where the skin loses its color. That’s what causes those white spots. But I’m okay.”

Check out the Global Vitiligo Foundation, the Vitiligo Research Foundation, and the American Academy of Dermatology for information.

Rely on Your Support System

Although living with vitiligo can feel isolating, you don’t have to experience it alone. A solid support system, which may include family members, friends, and colleagues, plays a significant role in mitigating the many psychological impacts of vitiligo, according to Jafferany.

“Even if they don’t personally have vitiligo, connecting with others may help remind you that you are a valuable part of society,” he says.

Join Support Groups

Find support groups and other helpful resources through the Vitiligo Research Foundation, Vitiligo Support International, and Global Vitiligo Foundation.

Seek Professional Help

If you’re experiencing overwhelming symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress, Jafferany advises seeking professional counseling to learn coping skills and treat your symptoms. You may want to look specifically for a psychodermatologist — a therapist who works with people who have skin conditions — or another therapist who has experience working with people with chronic health conditions.

Practice Body Positivity

Learning to appreciate your appearance can help you live unapologetically with vitiligo. Start with being comfortable with yourself, advises Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine in California.

“This can be built on the core belief that appearances are only skin-deep, and your personality, kindness, intelligence, or other attributes you cherish matter far more than anything on the outside,” Dr. Dimitriu says. It might also help to realize that people who judge your color or appearance may not be the people you want in your life.

Consider Treatment for Vitiligo

Because vitiligo isn’t life-threatening or contagious, you can decide whether to treat it.

• Topical steroids, ruxolitinib, or calcineurin inhibitors
• Light therapy
• Depigmentation therapy
• Procedures like melanocyte transplants, micro pigmentation, and skin grafting

Another option is to use special makeup to camouflage the white areas of skin. Your dermatologist can give you more information about how to use it and where to purchase it.

The Vitiligo Research Foundation has information about clinical trials researching treatments for vitiligo.

• People living with vitiligo often feel self-conscious about their skin’s appearance. This can result in mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
• Educating yourself and others about your condition can help you feel more confident.
• Seeking support from friends, family, and support groups can help you feel less isolated.
• Treating vitiligo is optional. If you decide you’d like to treat it, a dermatologist can help you understand available options.