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Don`t post on here that often these days but this morning, I just need to vent and this is as good a place as anywhere. My neck has completely broken out and I look thoroughly revolting. I have to go to work in a while and I`m dreading anyone seeing me looking like this. I just want to curl up and hide!
On 10/8/2013 at 12:20 PM, GUNNKE said:Don`t post on here that often these days but this morning, I just need to vent and this is as good a place as anywhere. My neck has completely broken out and I look thoroughly revolting. I have to go to work in a while and I`m dreading anyone seeing me looking like this. I just want to curl up and hide!
Sorry to hear you're breaking out right now Gunnke 
but you know you can get through it and other people aren't seeing what you see - we're our own worst critics remember!
Hang in there
Terrible. Both sides of my face and chin broke out significantly around a month ago, leaving huge scabs and cysts covering my skin. It's so humiliating having to go out like this. I just want to hide out at home until my skin has healed up a bit, but work forces me to venture out (and to deal with customers at that... just what I need). I was supposed to be going out after work socialising on Thursday, as well, but I don't think I can face it looking like this, especially when the lighting in the place we were planning to go to is just awful
Well I think I can finally say I have found my path to clear skin. It really feels like I have risen from the fucking dead.
And what is it?
Well I think I can finally say I have found my path to clear skin. It really feels like I have risen from the fucking dead.
I'm so happy for you!
Please, do share!
Well I think I can finally say I have found my path to clear skin. It really feels like I have risen from the fucking dead.
That's fantastic, man! I've read your posts in the past and I'm glad you're seeing improvements. What's your secret?
Also quick update on me: Thanks everyone for those comments a few pages back, I was just having a rare bad day and feeling down about stuff. Happens sometimes. I'm feeling 100% better the past week or so and my skin is doing well. And to be perfectly honest...I've been getting compliments about my appearance from random customers at work.
One lady walked by my post the other day and said "you have beautiful skin" and that literally floored me because I was like..."HUH?? why would she say that to me?" but after looking in the mirror and taking a GOOD long look at my skin I see how far I've come and how much things have improved for me...I realized that my skin does look really good right now. It's such a complete turnaround because years ago I remember getting negative comments about my skin...one that still haunts me to this day is from some random person that said to me "you're a good looking guy...don't let that skin get out of hand!"
so it's kinda a big adjustment to just accept a compliment like that and realize that it's completely genuine...but I'm working on that and as I become more comfortable in my own skin I think it will get easier and easier.
Hope everyone is doing well!
thanx people i might make a post about it when i have time, been clear for a month drastic change in my life immediatly. Im talking Zero acne my fucking face. scary how dark my life became. its gunna take time to recover fully but im certain the battle is done.
The hell broke loose... My face got significantly worse, especially a large cyst on my cheek, it doesn't react to anything and nobody does cortisone injections in Stockholm. Something is growing right next to it too. I don't even know why I'm writing here.
I'm so sorry When you say it doesn't react to anything... Do you think it could be accutane time? I'm sorry to go on about it but I really think it might help you! I know you were worried about psych effects but my psychiatrist (a professor) said the psych link is totally unsubstantiated and I have a history of very severe psychiatric problems but have had no problems at all whilst on accutane. My dermatologist said the other side effects have been blown way out of proportion too. The only side effect I have had is dry lips all my blood tests have been good. Now I have no acne and perhaps better still I am creating no new scars... I know it's scary but don't write it off?
Spending over an hour on your make-up but still looking thoroughly disgusting at the end of it all is really demoralising.
I wish I didn't have to go to class today. The outside world does not deserve to see me looking like this!
Oh I hear you I spend over an hour on my makeup too - it's exhausting! So unfair we have to spend so much time and energy and get up so much earlier than everyone else! And then still not look as good as they do effortlessly. But I have to challenge you here "the outside world does not deserve to see me looking like this!" Do you really believe that? You don't deserve your acne. The "acne-free" are lucky why should they be further blessed with not even having to look at an acne ridden face? What makes them so special? I sometimes get into a state where I think like that and I can't see how wrong it is. Do you think you could be depressed or do you have a history of depression? That said acne can just make us think in that way I think but thought it was worth asking because these things so often go unnoticed. I really hope you feel better soon! I bet you look much better after your meticulous makeup application than you think you do!
Don`t post on here that often these days but this morning, I just need to vent and this is as good a place as anywhere. My neck has completely broken out and I look thoroughly revolting. I have to go to work in a while and I`m dreading anyone seeing me looking like this. I just want to curl up and hide!
I'm so sorry I know the feeling. So many times I don't want to leave the house because of how I look but I discovered hiding just makes things much much worse Hope work was ok, I bet no one noticed it as much as you did 
Terrible. Both sides of my face and chin broke out significantly around a month ago, leaving huge scabs and cysts covering my skin. It's so humiliating having to go out like this. I just want to hide out at home until my skin has healed up a bit, but work forces me to venture out (and to deal with customers at that... just what I need). I was supposed to be going out after work socialising on Thursday, as well, but I don't think I can face it looking like this, especially when the lighting in the place we were planning to go to is just awful
I've so been there with avoiding going out because of the way I look. Both with my skin and weight (despite being underweight...) It's a slippery slope and the more things I missed the more isolated and depressed I got. Please don't do it! Go in there with your head held up high. Your acne isn't your fault and anyone who judges you for it has more problems than you do.
Spending over an hour on your make-up but still looking thoroughly disgusting at the end of it all is really demoralising.
Oh I hear you
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my post Flaxen, it was really sweet of you! I couldn't agree more with you on the unfairness of having to wake up so early every single day to spend over an hour applying make-up only to still not look as good as your clear-skinned friends do as soon as they roll out of bed. It's so frustrating! What you said about there not being any reason why the rest of the world should be sheltered from my acne-ridden face does make logical sense. I guess it's more to do with my humiliation at people seeing me with such horrible skin but when I'm thinking negatively I turn it into an "I shouldn't be imposing my disgusting self on other people" kind of mentality. Yeh I was diagnosed with depression about six months ago but had been like that on and off for years before I plucked up the courage to get any help so I agree with you that it often goes unnoticed in people. I'm going through a right time of it at the moment (hence the negative post above) because my doctor just doubled my dosage and it's been having some really extreme negative effects on me but so far no positives to speak of. I know it always takes time to get used to a new dose though so I'm still hopeful that it will help. Something sure needs to! Unfortunately the consequence of all this as far as my skin is concerned is that my dermatologist refuses to prescribe me Accutane unless I can get my mood under control. But obviously that turns into a kind of vicious circle because my skin always impacts so negatively on my mood, so I kind of feel stuck in a rut and unable to overcome either condition at the moment. I hope things improve a bit soon. Thanks again for your support!
Spending over an hour on your make-up but still looking thoroughly disgusting at the end of it all is really demoralising.
Oh I hear you
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my post Flaxen, it was really sweet of you!
I'm really sorry to hear you are suffering with depression. It's great you're getting help though. One thing I have learnt over the past few years is that help really does help, though it may it seem like it isn't because it can take a long time. As with most things, if you work really hard at it you will be rewarded - but as with skin it seems so unfair that some of us have to work at it while others don't give it a second thought! Having done alot of CBT I couldn't let your comment slide!! I am all too familiar with that way of thinking (I have bipolar disorder and have had periods of very severe depression.) Are you getting any therapy? I think that helped me even more than meds (though I still take meds.) It is infuriating that your dermatologist won't prescribe accutane! They let me have it with a history of severe mental illness and started it when I was still a little unstable. All the derm wanted was a letter from my psychiatrist to essentially make it his responsibility. He did not believe a link so was happy to oblige. Do you see a psychiatrist or just a GP? It might be worth asking for a psychiatrist opinion so you can get the accutane... It really has been a miracle worker for my skin, I can hardly believe it! I still have alot of red marks to cover though
Which brings me back to the original topic of makeup taking hours... I just got back from a run and my housemate said she was having some people over for dinner. My heart sank because my makeup would have to be showered off so now I am hiding in my room very hungry while they are all having fun. I hate it that I can't be spontaneous, I hate that I am a bit angry with my housemate for not giving me more notice, I hate it that I can only run at the beginning or end of the day, I hate that they will think I am being rude and antisocial. I could put some makeup on but I don't think it is worth it and they would probably think that was weird too
Spending over an hour on your make-up but still looking thoroughly disgusting at the end of it all is really demoralising.
Oh I hear you
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my post Flaxen, it was really sweet of you!
I'm really sorry to hear you are suffering with depression. It's great you're getting help though. One thing I have learnt over the past few years is that help really does help, though it may it seem like it isn't because it can take a long time. As with most things, if you work really hard at it you will be rewarded - but as with skin it seems so unfair that some of us have to work at it while others don't give it a second thought! Having done alot of CBT I couldn't let your comment slide!! I am all too familiar with that way of thinking (I have bipolar disorder and have had periods of very severe depression.) Are you getting any therapy? I think that helped me even more than meds (though I still take meds.) It is infuriating that your dermatologist won't prescribe accutane! They let me have it with a history of severe mental illness and started it when I was still a little unstable. All the derm wanted was a letter from my psychiatrist to essentially make it his responsibility. He did not believe a link so was happy to oblige. Do you see a psychiatrist or just a GP? It might be worth asking for a psychiatrist opinion so you can get the accutane... It really has been a miracle worker for my skin, I can hardly believe it! I still have alot of red marks to cover though
Which brings me back to the original topic of makeup taking hours... I just got back from a run and my housemate said she was having some people over for dinner. My heart sank because my makeup would have to be showered off so now I am hiding in my room very hungry while they are all having fun. I hate it that I can't be spontaneous, I hate that I am a bit angry with my housemate for not giving me more notice, I hate it that I can only run at the beginning or end of the day, I hate that they will think I am being rude and antisocial. I could put some makeup on but I don't think it is worth it and they would probably think that was weird too
Derms and shrinks fail to see that for a lot of us, Acne is the sole cause of depression; if there was no acne, there would be no depression. Thus, a treatment such as accutane, while not to be taken lightly, should be viewed as something positive. Agree, you should be under the care of a doctor and watch yourself for signs of increased depression, but my opinion is that if you stop the acne for a lot of people, you will negate the depression. My 2 cents
I'm really sorry to hear you are suffering with depression. It's great you're getting help though. One thing I have learnt over the past few years is that help really does help, though it may it seem like it isn't because it can take a long time. As with most things, if you work really hard at it you will be rewarded - but as with skin it seems so unfair that some of us have to work at it while others don't give it a second thought! Having done alot of CBT I couldn't let your comment slide!! I am all too familiar with that way of thinking (I have bipolar disorder and have had periods of very severe depression.) Are you getting any therapy? I think that helped me even more than meds (though I still take meds.) It is infuriating that your dermatologist won't prescribe accutane! They let me have it with a history of severe mental illness and started it when I was still a little unstable. All the derm wanted was a letter from my psychiatrist to essentially make it his responsibility. He did not believe a link so was happy to oblige. Do you see a psychiatrist or just a GP? It might be worth asking for a psychiatrist opinion so you can get the accutane... It really has been a miracle worker for my skin, I can hardly believe it! I still have alot of red marks to cover though
Which brings me back to the original topic of makeup taking hours... I just got back from a run and my housemate said she was having some people over for dinner. My heart sank because my makeup would have to be showered off so now I am hiding in my room very hungry while they are all having fun. I hate it that I can't be spontaneous, I hate that I am a bit angry with my housemate for not giving me more notice, I hate it that I can only run at the beginning or end of the day, I hate that they will think I am being rude and antisocial. I could put some makeup on but I don't think it is worth it and they would probably think that was weird too
Yeh, well the meds really helped to begin with but then kind of stopped working, hence the doubled dosage. Unfortunately they always seem to make things worse before they get better so this week I've been in the worst state I've ever been in I think. Quite relieved to still be here typing this to be honest! Today has been a little bit better though so I really hope it's on the up now. It took me a really long time (like years) to get help because I have terrible social anxiety as well and hadn't been to a doctor for 7 years before all this because I was too scared to (pathetic I know). That obviously makes the issue of therapy kind of tricky as well because I struggle every day to talk to strangers about the most mundane things, let alone my innermost thoughts and feelings! But my GP really wants me to try CBT. I've got to a point where anxiety and depression are affecting my life so negatively every day that I feel like I have to do something but that's just so much easier said than done. I'm hoping that if the higher dose can get me feeling a little bit better then I might be able to cope more with trying CBT because everybody seems to say that's really helpful. My dermatologist said exactly the same to me; that he wouldn't consider prescribing Accutane unless I was under the care of a psychiatrist. That comment felt a little like being slapped in the face haha! I'd never even thought about the idea of seeing a psychiatrist, I've only ever seen my GP about it. She's just trying her utmost to convince me to do CBT so that's obviously the referral she wants to make. Trying really hard to convince myself that I can do it but I'm really not sure I can at all.
I can relate so well to you saying you're hiding in your room after your shower whilst your housemates are having fun with people downstairs because I do that all the time as well! I also hate the fact that I can't ever be spontaneous because of my skin and worry that people must think I'm just being really antisocial. I could never deal with doing make-up more than once a day but I'm sure you can just claim that you needed an early night tonight. I know it still makes you feel really left out of everything though when it's not even your own fault. Hope your housemate tells you in advance the next time they invite friends round!
Derms and shrinks fail to see that for a lot of us, Acne is the sole cause of depression; if there was no acne, there would be no depression. Thus, a treatment such as accutane, while not to be taken lightly, should be viewed as something positive. Agree, you should be under the care of a doctor and watch yourself for signs of increased depression, but my opinion is that if you stop the acne for a lot of people, you will negate the depression. My 2 cents
Yeh my skin definitely exacerbates my depression to quite an extreme so being told I can't be treated for the acne whilst I'm still depressed, in the knowledge that I'll probably never be able to get over the depression whilst my skin still makes me look like a monster, really didn't go down too well! In fact it sent me completely spiralling and resulted in me going back to the GP and being prescribed a higher dose of anti-depressant which is great and all but it's not exactly going to help me with my skin now is it? It's just like being trapped in a vicious circle where there's no possible way to move forward and solve any of your problems because they're all so intermingled. It does seem really counter-productive that they won't treat depressed people with Accutane because, like you say, for so many people the acne is the cause of the depression so you'd be killing two birds with one stone. Really wish derms understood the psychological impact of acne a little bit better!
I'm really sorry to hear you are suffering with depression. It's great you're getting help though. One thing I have learnt over the past few years is that help really does help, though it may it seem like it isn't because it can take a long time. As with most things, if you work really hard at it you will be rewarded - but as with skin it seems so unfair that some of us have to work at it while others don't give it a second thought! Having done alot of CBT I couldn't let your comment slide!! I am all too familiar with that way of thinking (I have bipolar disorder and have had periods of very severe depression.) Are you getting any therapy? I think that helped me even more than meds (though I still take meds.) It is infuriating that your dermatologist won't prescribe accutane! They let me have it with a history of severe mental illness and started it when I was still a little unstable. All the derm wanted was a letter from my psychiatrist to essentially make it his responsibility. He did not believe a link so was happy to oblige. Do you see a psychiatrist or just a GP? It might be worth asking for a psychiatrist opinion so you can get the accutane... It really has been a miracle worker for my skin, I can hardly believe it! I still have alot of red marks to cover though
Which brings me back to the original topic of makeup taking hours... I just got back from a run and my housemate said she was having some people over for dinner. My heart sank because my makeup would have to be showered off so now I am hiding in my room very hungry while they are all having fun. I hate it that I can't be spontaneous, I hate that I am a bit angry with my housemate for not giving me more notice, I hate it that I can only run at the beginning or end of the day, I hate that they will think I am being rude and antisocial. I could put some makeup on but I don't think it is worth it and they would probably think that was weird too
Yeh, well the meds really helped to begin with but then kind of stopped working, hence the doubled dosage. Unfortunately they always seem to make things worse before they get better so this week I've been in the worst state I've ever been in I think. Quite relieved to still be here typing this to be honest! Today has been a little bit better though so I really hope it's on the up now. It took me a really long time (like years) to get help because I have terrible social anxiety as well and hadn't been to a doctor for 7 years before all this because I was too scared to (pathetic I know). That obviously makes the issue of therapy kind of tricky as well because I struggle every day to talk to strangers about the most mundane things, let alone my innermost thoughts and feelings! But my GP really wants me to try CBT. I've got to a point where anxiety and depression are affecting my life so negatively every day that I feel like I have to do something but that's just so much easier said than done. I'm hoping that if the higher dose can get me feeling a little bit better then I might be able to cope more with trying CBT because everybody seems to say that's really helpful. My dermatologist said exactly the same to me; that he wouldn't consider prescribing Accutane unless I was under the care of a psychiatrist. That comment felt a little like being slapped in the face haha! I'd never even thought about the idea of seeing a psychiatrist, I've only ever seen my GP about it. She's just trying her utmost to convince me to do CBT so that's obviously the referral she wants to make. Trying really hard to convince myself that I can do it but I'm really not sure I can at all.
I can relate so well to you saying you're hiding in your room after your shower whilst your housemates are having fun with people downstairs because I do that all the time as well! I also hate the fact that I can't ever be spontaneous because of my skin and worry that people must think I'm just being really antisocial. I could never deal with doing make-up more than once a day but I'm sure you can just claim that you needed an early night tonight. I know it still makes you feel really left out of everything though when it's not even your own fault. Hope your housemate tells you in advance the next time they invite friends round!
>Derms and shrinks fail to see that for a lot of us, Acne is the sole cause of depression; if there was no acne, there would be no depression. Thus, a treatment such as accutane, while not to be taken lightly, should be viewed as something positive. Agree, you should be under the care of a doctor and watch yourself for signs of increased depression, but my opinion is that if you stop the acne for a lot of people, you will negate the depression. My 2 cents
Yeh my skin definitely exacerbates my depression to quite an extreme so being told I can't be treated for the acne whilst I'm still depressed, in the knowledge that I'll probably never be able to get over the depression whilst my skin still makes me look like a monster, really didn't go down too well! In fact it sent me completely spiralling and resulted in me going back to the GP and being prescribed a higher dose of anti-depressant which is great and all but it's not exactly going to help me with my skin now is it? It's just like being trapped in a vicious circle where there's no possible way to move forward and solve any of your problems because they're all so intermingled. It does seem really counter-productive that they won't treat depressed people with Accutane because, like you say, for so many people the acne is the cause of the depression so you'd be killing two birds with one stone. Really wish derms understood the psychological impact of acne a little bit better!
i agree. The depression and stress cycle from acne just sinks you deeper and deeper; and they worry that accutane will cause depression...
i agree. The depression and stress cycle from acne just sinks you deeper and deeper; and they worry that accutane will cause depression...
Literally, when I went to see the GP saying that the depression had got worse again she asked if anything particularly bad had happened to me over the summer. So I said I had a horrific outbreak of cystic acne all over my face that lasted for months and led to me being referred to a dermatologist. She then replied with: "Ok, but did anything else bad happen over summer?" I was just thinking: "Seriously?! Don't you think months of cystic acne is bad enough?!" Doctors just don't understand the psychological side of acne at all, it really annoys me.
i agree. The depression and stress cycle from acne just sinks you deeper and deeper; and they worry that accutane will cause depression...
Literally, when I went to see the GP saying that the depression had got worse again she asked if anything particularly bad had happened to me over the summer. So I said I had a horrific outbreak of cystic acne all over my face that lasted for months and led to me being referred to a dermatologist. She then replied with: "Ok, but did anything else bad happen over summer?" I was just thinking: "Seriously?! Don't you think months of cystic acne is bad enough?!" Doctors just don't understand the psychological side of acne at all, it really annoys me.
MoonlightRiver, are you on medication for your depression? I'm going to be starting something soon I think, because my underlying depression has gotten a lot worse these past months because of my acne. It's getting to the point where I can't focus on work and I'm basically floundering. I'm not entirely sure, but I wonder if maybe my acne is somehow caused by my depression? I know stress makes it worse. Right now I'm looking for any magic pill that will get rid of these spots, but I'm not a candidate for Accutane most likely because of depression.
MoonlightRiver, are you on medication for your depression? I'm going to be starting something soon I think, because my underlying depression has gotten a lot worse these past months because of my acne. It's getting to the point where I can't focus on work and I'm basically floundering. I'm not entirely sure, but I wonder if maybe my acne is somehow caused by my depression? I know stress makes it worse. Right now I'm looking for any magic pill that will get rid of these spots, but I'm not a candidate for Accutane most likely because of depression.
Yeh I'm on Sertraline at the moment. Sorry to hear you're having a bad time with depression at the moment as well! It could very well be that the acne is the main cause of your depression if no other cause seems obvious. Medication isn't a magic cure for depression or anything but it has helped me immensely on the functional side of things because I was barely functioning at all before I started it. I would say it kind of dulls down the emotional side of the depression so that you don't feel like you're constantly being crushed by your bad feelings anymore but I haven't found that it does much to stop the thought patterns themselves if that makes any sense.
I hear you on wishing for a magic pill to get rid of acne! I felt really disheartened when the derm refused to prescribe me anything for my skin because of my depression because I'd pinned my hopes on that appointment practically all summer thinking that the derm would be able to help me. Sadly, having a mental illness apparently means you can't be treated for the physical condition of acne like normal people. Somehow that doesn't exactly help you to feel any better about yourself and your situation!
MoonlightRiver, are you on medication for your depression? I'm going to be starting something soon I think, because my underlying depression has gotten a lot worse these past months because of my acne. It's getting to the point where I can't focus on work and I'm basically floundering. I'm not entirely sure, but I wonder if maybe my acne is somehow caused by my depression? I know stress makes it worse. Right now I'm looking for any magic pill that will get rid of these spots, but I'm not a candidate for Accutane most likely because of depression.
Yeh I'm on Sertraline at the moment. Sorry to hear you're having a bad time with depression at the moment as well! It could very well be that the acne is the main cause of your depression if no other cause seems obvious. Medication isn't a magic cure for depression or anything but it has helped me immensely on the functional side of things because I was barely functioning at all before I started it. I would say it kind of dulls down the emotional side of the depression so that you don't feel like you're constantly being crushed by your bad feelings anymore but I haven't found that it does much to stop the thought patterns themselves if that makes any sense.
I hear you on wishing for a magic pill to get rid of acne! I felt really disheartened when the derm refused to prescribe me anything for my skin because of my depression because I'd pinned my hopes on that appointment practically all summer thinking that the derm would be able to help me. Sadly, having a mental illness apparently means you can't be treated for the physical condition of acne like normal people. Somehow that doesn't exactly help you to feel any better about yourself and your situation!
Depression runs in my family, so basically every one is saying "Please go on some medication" because they know it will just stay with me throughout my life and never magically disappear. It helps to have the support of people who know how it feels... just like this site!
Thinking back to when my weird cystic acne started (not huge or painful, but small hard bumps that linger under the surface for a long time)... it was around the time that my anxieties and depressions started to get worse (I've always pretty much been this way). That was last year, and teh acne certainly hasn't gone away. I'm thinking stress must be a major factor. Considering I have acne pretty much all the time, not just around ovulation or menstruation, I'm thinking it's less about my hormones, but I could be wrong.
Argh!!! Just when I think I've got it sorted out, I get confused again.
I went about two years without washing my face with soap or cleanser, except maybe once every month or two. For the last two weeks I've been washing once a day with Spectro Jel. My face is looking great. I've been breaking out a bit more than usual but the pimples go away in a day or two and leave no mark. I'm likely just adjusting/purging. My old marks are fading. My forehead is no longer a mess... it used to look like every pore was clogged and it was always oily, now it's not. Who'd have thought?
I went about two years without washing my face with soap or cleanser, except maybe once every month or two. For the last two weeks I've been washing once a day with Spectro Jel. My face is looking great. I've been breaking out a bit more than usual but the pimples go away in a day or two and leave no mark. I'm likely just adjusting/purging. My old marks are fading. My forehead is no longer a mess... it used to look like every pore was clogged and it was always oily, now it's not. Who'd have thought?
Spectro Jel is the bomb! I love that stuff, I use the "purple one" for blemish prone skin. Definitely gentle, and I like that it doesn't foam up when you use it.
Don`t post on here that often these days but this morning, I just need to vent and this is as good a place as anywhere. My neck has completely broken out and I look thoroughly revolting. I have to go to work in a while and I`m dreading anyone seeing me looking like this. I just want to curl up and hide!
I'm so sorry I know the feeling. So many times I don't want to leave the house because of how I look but I discovered hiding just makes things much much worse
Thanks Flaxen. I`m pleased to say that I did go to work eventually and you`re right, no one noticed or said anything. If I hadn`t gone to work, I would have just ended up feeling worse about myself. My neck is still a bit broken out but it is looking slightly better today so fingers crossed, it will clear up fairly soon.
Hope everyone is doing okay out there.
Been breaking out one zit at a time for the last couple of weeks. Nothing major and nothing really visible but just a bit annoying. The spots come out of my jawline and chin so I blame hormones and as of lately I blame stress. I've been feeling a lot of it lately. I'm already a nervous and anxious person by nature, but adding in work stress just throws my hormones for a loop.
MoonlightRiver, are you on medication for your depression? I'm going to be starting something soon I think, because my underlying depression has gotten a lot worse these past months because of my acne. It's getting to the point where I can't focus on work and I'm basically floundering. I'm not entirely sure, but I wonder if maybe my acne is somehow caused by my depression? I know stress makes it worse. Right now I'm looking for any magic pill that will get rid of these spots, but I'm not a candidate for Accutane most likely because of depression.
Yeh I'm on Sertraline at the moment. Sorry to hear you're having a bad time with depression at the moment as well! It could very well be that the acne is the main cause of your depression if no other cause seems obvious. Medication isn't a magic cure for depression or anything but it has helped me immensely on the functional side of things because I was barely functioning at all before I started it. I would say it kind of dulls down the emotional side of the depression so that you don't feel like you're constantly being crushed by your bad feelings anymore but I haven't found that it does much to stop the thought patterns themselves if that makes any sense.
I hear you on wishing for a magic pill to get rid of acne! I felt really disheartened when the derm refused to prescribe me anything for my skin because of my depression because I'd pinned my hopes on that appointment practically all summer thinking that the derm would be able to help me. Sadly, having a mental illness apparently means you can't be treated for the physical condition of acne like normal people. Somehow that doesn't exactly help you to feel any better about yourself and your situation!
Depression runs in my family, so basically every one is saying "Please go on some medication" because they know it will just stay with me throughout my life and never magically disappear. It helps to have the support of people who know how it feels... just like this site!
Thinking back to when my weird cystic acne started (not huge or painful, but small hard bumps that linger under the surface for a long time)... it was around the time that my anxieties and depressions started to get worse (I've always pretty much been this way). That was last year, and teh acne certainly hasn't gone away. I'm thinking stress must be a major factor. Considering I have acne pretty much all the time, not just around ovulation or menstruation, I'm thinking it's less about my hormones, but I could be wrong.
Argh!!! Just when I think I've got it sorted out, I get confused again.
Depression can definitely affect acne, and acne can cause depression....sometimes it's a chicken or egg thing, hard to determine which comes first. I don't mean to undermine anti-depressants, but some of them might cause acne (google it) and also I'm nervous about being reliant on something that may have more serious side effects. You can't just rely on a drug, you have to mentally recover from depression and it takes will and determination. I managed to overcome severe depression several times with no medication, so I know it's possible with a lot of effort.
Also, I strongly suggest you get tested for vitamin D deficiency. I got tested and realized I was deficient, so I have been taking prescription vitamin D for the past 2 months and it has helped me function like a normal human being. My anxiety and panic are gone, and I feel less depressed every day....I don't even get upset if I get more acne, although I think vitamin D helped me improve my skin texture as well. I think it wouldn't hurt to get your vitamin D levels tested... I would have never believed that a simple vitamin deficiency (which is actually a pro-hormone) could worsen my depression, and also that a supplement could diminish it, if I hadn't experienced it first hand.
MoonlightRiver, are you on medication for your depression? I'm going to be starting something soon I think, because my underlying depression has gotten a lot worse these past months because of my acne. It's getting to the point where I can't focus on work and I'm basically floundering. I'm not entirely sure, but I wonder if maybe my acne is somehow caused by my depression? I know stress makes it worse. Right now I'm looking for any magic pill that will get rid of these spots, but I'm not a candidate for Accutane most likely because of depression.
Yeh I'm on Sertraline at the moment. Sorry to hear you're having a bad time with depression at the moment as well! It could very well be that the acne is the main cause of your depression if no other cause seems obvious. Medication isn't a magic cure for depression or anything but it has helped me immensely on the functional side of things because I was barely functioning at all before I started it. I would say it kind of dulls down the emotional side of the depression so that you don't feel like you're constantly being crushed by your bad feelings anymore but I haven't found that it does much to stop the thought patterns themselves if that makes any sense.
I hear you on wishing for a magic pill to get rid of acne! I felt really disheartened when the derm refused to prescribe me anything for my skin because of my depression because I'd pinned my hopes on that appointment practically all summer thinking that the derm would be able to help me. Sadly, having a mental illness apparently means you can't be treated for the physical condition of acne like normal people. Somehow that doesn't exactly help you to feel any better about yourself and your situation!
Depression runs in my family, so basically every one is saying "Please go on some medication" because they know it will just stay with me throughout my life and never magically disappear. It helps to have the support of people who know how it feels... just like this site!
Thinking back to when my weird cystic acne started (not huge or painful, but small hard bumps that linger under the surface for a long time)... it was around the time that my anxieties and depressions started to get worse (I've always pretty much been this way). That was last year, and teh acne certainly hasn't gone away. I'm thinking stress must be a major factor. Considering I have acne pretty much all the time, not just around ovulation or menstruation, I'm thinking it's less about my hormones, but I could be wrong.
Argh!!! Just when I think I've got it sorted out, I get confused again.
Depression can definitely affect acne, and acne can cause depression....sometimes it's a chicken or egg thing, hard to determine which comes first. I don't mean to undermine anti-depressants, but some of them might cause acne (google it) and also I'm nervous about being reliant on something that may have more serious side effects. You can't just rely on a drug, you have to mentally recover from depression and it takes will and determination. I managed to overcome severe depression several times with no medication, so I know it's possible with a lot of effort.
Also, I strongly suggest you get tested for vitamin D deficiency. I got tested and realized I was deficient, so I have been taking prescription vitamin D for the past 2 months and it has helped me function like a normal human being. My anxiety and panic are gone, and I feel less depressed every day....I don't even get upset if I get more acne, although I think vitamin D helped me improve my skin texture as well. I think it wouldn't hurt to get your vitamin D levels tested... I would have never believed that a simple vitamin deficiency (which is actually a pro-hormone) could worsen my depression, and also that a supplement could diminish it, if I hadn't experienced it first hand.
Yes, I am a bit worried about the potential of an anti-depressant to cause me acne. Right now I'm running on the assumption that, if I have acne going into the use of the medication, it may be the reverse and I'll clear up. I guess I'll find out and test this theory. 
I don't like the idea of being dependant on an anti-depressant either, but unfortunately after trying for a year to get myself back to "normal" with various supplements, my condition is getting worse. Whatever I do end up going on, it'll be low dose and as "non-invasive" as possible. I'll be on it long-term, no doubt, so I want whatever it is to be as minimal as possible and still work.
Yes, I am a bit worried about the potential of an anti-depressant to cause me acne. Right now I'm running on the assumption that, if I have acne going into the use of the medication, it may be the reverse and I'll clear up. I guess I'll find out and test this theory.
I don't like the idea of being dependant on an anti-depressant either, but unfortunately after trying for a year to get myself back to "normal" with various supplements, my condition is getting worse. Whatever I do end up going on, it'll be low dose and as "non-invasive" as possible. I'll be on it long-term, no doubt, so I want whatever it is to be as minimal as possible and still work.
Are you seeing a therapist as well, or can you get anti-depressants from a general doctor/health practitioner? I think seeing a good psychiatrist can help too, and also doing things that take the focus off of your acne (easier said than done, I know, but it could be a goal like getting in shape or starting a blog or doing volunteer work).
I still think that if you have vitamin D deficiency symptoms, it doesn't hurt to get tested. If you think it's partially hormonal, low progesterone can also worsen or even cause depression. Btw, I had to get prescription vitamin D because it's plant-based, and my skin always got worse on regular D3 supplements....I would have never thought to try the prescription kind, but basically my doctor urged me to take it since my levels were low and I'm glad I did.
Yes, I am a bit worried about the potential of an anti-depressant to cause me acne. Right now I'm running on the assumption that, if I have acne going into the use of the medication, it may be the reverse and I'll clear up. I guess I'll find out and test this theory.
I don't like the idea of being dependant on an anti-depressant either, but unfortunately after trying for a year to get myself back to "normal" with various supplements, my condition is getting worse. Whatever I do end up going on, it'll be low dose and as "non-invasive" as possible. I'll be on it long-term, no doubt, so I want whatever it is to be as minimal as possible and still work.
Are you seeing a therapist as well, or can you get anti-depressants from a general doctor/health practitioner? I think seeing a good psychiatrist can help too, and also doing things that take the focus off of your acne (easier said than done, I know, but it could be a goal like getting in shape or starting a blog or doing volunteer work).
I still think that if you have vitamin D deficiency symptoms, it doesn't hurt to get tested. If you think it's partially hormonal, low progesterone can also worsen or even cause depression. Btw, I had to get prescription vitamin D because it's plant-based, and my skin always got worse on regular D3 supplements....I would have never thought to try the prescription kind, but basically my doctor urged me to take it since my levels were low and I'm glad I did.
I wonder about the vitamin D. I'm taking a vitamin D3 supplement right now. Not sure how "quality" it is. Now I'm wondering if that supplement is causing my more recent break outs... (I started with it about 3 weeks ago). Actually, I'm at the point where I'm pretty sure everything I ingest may cause acne. Maybe I'll try going without any supplements for a while to test. But I'll check with my doctor about a prescription for vitamin d3, I didn't even know there was such a thing.