I remember one time I was clear for 6 months I really thought acne was gone for me ...than BAMM! Zits after zits started popping up it took me all the way down to start again.

Oh and yea everything will be ok

hun it happens to most acne sufferers.the mood is controlled by the skin and our own insecurities.

one day i feel good and then next day even one small whitehead freaks me out.

infact,the transition could take place within hours.

i feel most anxious when i need to go out somewhere.specially if that somewhere is where the guy i hav a crush on is at.

anyway,please dont stress.

i see u keep posting abt being sad and sorry.its evident u're depressed and stressed.

pls dont be.1stly u;re beautiful.2ndly,stress will only harm ur skin.

and 3rdly,i am older than u(quite sure) and i am telling u thus,u would want to be with someone who likes u not just for ur looks.

i know it sounds cheesy and boring..but u would want ppl who see beyond just looks.

plus,dont be so harsh on urself.never ever think of hurting urself.u're too precious for that to happen.=)

u're gorgeous anyway.

this will all change.

so RELAX.

dude. I relate to you so much. I feel like this has ruined my life. I'm afraid I will never be the same again. I'm having a really bad day today too. Feeling really bad about myself. I have been having thoughts of "what's the point, it's never gonna get any better". 2 years ago I felt so confident and excited about my future, and now I feel like there is no future. I'm really having a hard time right now. I know just how you feel. I have this new job offer, but now I'm stressed out about having to meet new people and having my face all screwed up. The current ingrown hair problem is not helping. I keep reading the scar treatment forums but basically I'm stuck like this I think. maybe I can make it better, but I'm a perfectionist, and I'll never be happy with the improvements I make. I used to be a ridiculously happy, smiling, laughing, joking, positive person. now i hardly ever even crack a smile. I think about suicide too, and it makes me afraid. I'm talented, and intelligent, and I used to be funny, but now that my skin is messed up, I feel like I lost everything. I feel like not even the same person any more. I want a girlfriend so much, but I'm so insecure now, I don't even think I could have one and function properly in the relationship. I'm so effed up. I'm afraid I am doomed to live life alone and I don't want to.

We all have given you positive support and been telling you the honest truth. I personally called you hot, other people on here have told you similar Fact of the matter is you have to believe it yourself. That is the hard part. Acne is a weird disease that not only effects people physically but it f*cks with our mind. You just have to tell yourself do you really want to waste your life away worrying about, in your case, minor flaws? Life is beautiful, you are beautiful and there is so much for you to enjoy out there. Don't dwindle it all away like I have over your insecurities. Please stop torturing yourself its not warranted.

These mood swings are tiring the shit out of me, too, and I know that mirrors play a major part in that. For me, I have to avoid mirrors as much as possible to get me through the day 'cause I know that if I don't, I'll end up staring at myself for hours and cry. In public places, I also try to avoid bathroom mirrors, but I've noticed that my school's bathroom lights are very dimmed so thank god for that. So, if I don't look at myself in the mirror, I don't see my acne or scars, therefore I will pretend or think I don't have it...it helps a little and calms me down, makes me stop overobsessing too much...I try to only use the mirror to wash my face and apply my medication, lotions...For the rest of the day, I try to tell myself "If I don't need it, then fuck it!" if you think about it, your life/day can still go on without mirrors!

But, I guess if one suffers from acne that causes physical pain, the no mirror challenge may not help a lot because they can still feel it, hence know that they have acne...There's a topic here somewhere about a "No mirror challenge". Look it up, it seems interesting. The person updates on how the challenge went for them and how it affects their acne.

It saddens me that you're having thoughts of attempting suicide because of that, because you are a very beautiful girl and I'm not surprised at all that guys go after you. You're a babe! I used to have acne similar to yours, worst even. I can tell you that it does get better. Have you tried to seek professional help about your suicidal thoughts?

You guys are all really great. I know it's probably really annoying to hear someone complain and be depressed, but I really appreciate all your support. It helps me a lot. I was supposed to go out for lunch with some friends today, but woke up feeling terrible about my skin and basically decided not to. Then I sat there thinking about what everyone is saying about wasting my life on my insecurities and somehow decided to just go with them anyway. When I got there, every single one of my friends turned to me and said "you look so goood!!" to which I replied "guys, my skin.." and one of my guy friends said "your face could get run over by a truck and you'd still look good" LOL which gave me a HUGE confidence boost and a smile to go with it I'm glad I got the confidence to get up and have a great time and I hope I continue to do so. Thank you all soo soo much!!

I really do wish the best for every one of you. And you're all such good looking people as well! It really is true that acne messes with our minds, because it seems some of you see me as goodlooking but I see you all as GREAT looking as well even if you can't see it yourself. Really sucks we can't see our own beauty.

yea i can relate, my mood changes every second.

Dreamer girl, you are not the only one... These days I feel like crap because of my acne and scars and I am freaking 28! I feel really defeated and sad. We need to be there for each other, people! Because if it was not for this forum, I would break down... I have noticed that I am becoming more and more insecure as I grow older.

Dear acne on my face,

you are won!

Sincerely,

Ambitiousone

It's tearing me apart lately. I don't remember being this hard on myself when I was about 20. I was almost always generally in a good mood, had plenty of friends, and actually went out with some great looking girls. Now fast forward to me being 27 it's getting very difficult for me to even be a normal person. I haven't gone out on a date in forever and I avoid people like a plague on my bad days. It's really sad to think about how bad my life has gotten and how miserable I get over this.

Anyways if that's you in your picture then you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

"Have you guys ever had a really good day, where you were seeing improvement in your skin, and just feeling overall good about yourself? And then the next day getting a stupid breakout or just not being happy about your skin all of a sudden?"

If you [the people] agree with this [and yes i've been there, i agree] then what does that tell you?

Its a mind game. The effects of acne are determental to mental health, if you let "it" get that far into your self conconious, into your self esteem. Albiet, its hard not to be affected mentally from acne, it would be best if you set some sort of borders within your own mind to control your self so you don't lose yourself and end up living day in and out thinking about 1 thing and 1 thing only and your happiness is only based off that 1 thing. Believe me i've done it. It has take over a 1 year to overcome. Inspirational videos, speeches are a good place to start. Next getting out with those who love you no matter what helps. Talking to someone instead of being secluded is a good way to start.

To the OP, I feel your story and have had similar situations. Setup a good rapport with this guy or any potential guy to establish trust, a trust where he can be serious and like you before and after the talk about your feelings. You will feel alot better about yourself.

Girl, I know EXACTLY how you feel. Just a week ago I was feeling great about my skin, thinking it's been looking really good lately. Fast forward to today and I'm going through a little breakout, and I broke down while eating breakfast. I've been feeling insecure about EVERYTHING lately - my body, my hair, and now my skin is added to the list again. I almost didn't want to do anything today, and let me tell you, there's been MANY times where I've skipped on outings because of my skin. But almost always, when I go, I feel better, no matter how bad or good my skin looks.

You are a VERY pretty girl and I hope you realize that. Your skin doesn't define your beauty nor take away from it. Obviously since you're getting dates other people find you attractive! But life isn't only about being attractive. Try focusing on your inner beauty, intelligence, qualities, etc. I would suggest reading self-help books or books written by people about overcoming a significant challenge in their life. I also agree that you should avoid mirrors as much as possible. All we do is scrutinize in mirrors, and it's not healthy. I hope you feel better!