i'm here. i think most of us here can relate. its not easy.

yeah, especially when you're surrounded by people with perfect porcelain skin. you feel like a monster

Definitely can relate. It's like, the only thing I notice about other people is how great their skin looks and how bad they must think mine looks. Besides my grandma and little kids (both of whom just spit out whatever is on their mind), no one has ever commented on my acne (now scars and increased redness) or treated me poorly because of it. I think it's all in my head that people think I'm gross.

Yeah I get that. I feel gross with all these breakouts and scars, and I guess I expect others to feel the same way about me. It's hard to function on a daily basis always thinking about my acne and how bad the next breakout is gonna be.

Im guilty of this too. However, it isn't going to help thinking about your next breakout at that moment. I need to start taking more risks. One thing that kills me is what if...? What if I would have done this? Or went to that party? I see people that have horrible acne with girlfriends and partying all the time. I think its all confidence. If it doesn't bother you then it may not bother others. Its always not having fun having giant red spots everywhere but it always get the best of me. I want to reverse that. I want it to no longer affect me. Takes time, I would imagine, but always better to try and stay positive. We all have our down days, and that's when a lot of us will post cause we feel the way we do. My advice is find a hobby and a supportive group of friends. Good luck everyone.

I'm willing to try to help anyone that wants it. I've gone through and dealt with this and other disgusting (for lack of a better word) skin conditions.

My viewpoints are unorthodox, and my recommendations may not fit with "the norm" but everything I say is honest.

Just counting acne in general I've tried a lot of things...

You are definitely not alone. Everyone with acne has these feelings to some extent and guess what people without acne also have feelings of not being worthy, beautiful enough, etc, etc. When my acne cleared first time round (BC pill) I was over the moon but after a while I just started to focus my attention elsewhere, my hair, my teeth...the list goes on!The point I am trying to make is that acne is a huge deal to you but trust me nobody else will notice it to the extent you do or even care, hence many people dismiss it as 'just a few spots' or 'they will go'. I never noticed anybody's skin when my skin was clear but as soon as the acne began to come back I was noticing how everyone seemed to have gorgeous skin! Acne is a very common problem and the reality is that many people are suffering but because you are hyper vigilant and generally feeling crap about yourself you compare yourself unfavourably to others.

Having a bad breakout makes everyone feel bad but remember it will clear eventually. Acne is transient. What is on your face today could be different in 3 months time. You couldn't say that if your eyes were wonky or if you had ears you could pick satellite tv up on. Keep your chin up. I am sending you a huge hug. It will be ok. Don't let acne control your life because even when you clear you will get into the habit of picking constant fault with yourself.Get on a treatment plan and if it doesn't work get on another. You will get there.

I really hope this helps a bit xxx

Faithbox- it won't let me quote you for some reason but that is damn good advice. If there is one thing I could kick my younger self right up the arse for its hiding away when I felt bad about my skin. What a bloody waste. I am 40 now and I can't get them teenage years back. I didn't see my beautiful teenage figure, my lovely hair, my big eyes, I only saw spots. I could shake myself and I would if I could go back. I would tell my younger self that acne (although horrible) was just a phase and I had loads positive going for me and I would kick myself right out the door. My spots get me down now but the one thing I have learned is that it is part of life, not my whole life.Take care all of you and if you want to chat, I am here! xx