I am sorry you are going through this. Acne is a serious condition and there are many people with acne. who experience deep depression

1) Have you seen a therapist and have you ever/do you continue to see a dermatologist? If acne is preventing you from living your life the way you want to, you need to take steps to address the psychological as well as physical effects. You have the right to seek help.

2) Have you tried to pinpoint the cause of your acne? Diet can play a huge role as can medical conditions related to the endocrine and reproductive systems, particularly in women. These may also contribute to your depression. Being tested for things like PCOS and thyroid conditions, to name a few, might be a good idea.

3) Lastly, have you talked to your partner about what you are feeling? If not, please do. Furthermore, your partner and children would not be better off with someone else. They need you and love you and would not be better off with another. You are not your acne. You are an amazing, strong person with the power to make life better for yourself, and you will be able to let your light shine.

<3 lots of love and support your way.

thank you for your reply . i forgot to say im in the uk .. i havent seen my gp in about a year for my acne as she just kept prescribing different topical treatments and oxytetracyclins that seemed to do nothing at all . she never mentioned about referring me to a derm . i looked in to going private but i just cant afford that kind of money i so would if i could . i havent spoke to my partner about it much as i feel he may just dismiss it . im currently trying to cut down my dairy and sugar intake to see if that helps at all

thank you for your reply . i forgot to say im in the uk .. i havent seen my gp in about a year for my acne as she just kept prescribing different topical treatments and oxytetracyclins that seemed to do nothing at all . she never mentioned about referring me to a derm . i looked in to going private but i just cant afford that kind of money i so would if i could . i havent spoke to my partner about it much as i feel he may just dismiss it . im currently trying to cut down my dairy and sugar intake to see if that helps at all

Can you go back and ask your gp for a referral for a dermatologist and a therapist? You are clearly depressed, which is serious, and your acne is a medical condition. I can't foresee your doctor refusing to get you the help that you need if you really are honest with him or her about how your acne has prohibited you from living your life. If they do, then they're a crappy doctor and not doing their job, I'm sorry to say.

Ugh, I'm so sorry. Healthcare in the US is hella expensive, so I feel your pain. Thankfully my topical prescriptions are covered by insurance (thanks to Obamacare i can stay on my parents' plan till I'm 26!) but I have to pay 80 dollars a month for my birth control because it is a brand name. And I make 10 dollars an hour and live in an expensive city, so that's a heavy payment.

I know that it's hard to talk about but I would really encourage you to bring it up with your partner. If he dismisses it, keep explaining what you've said on this forum. He probably doesn't notice your skin as much as you do, so he might not understand at first, but I think its important. You can show him studies about acne and depression. A lot of people don't realize that acne is a disease and that there is no cure (except Accutane).

Anyway, it sounds like your acne is very much an internal problem. I think cutting out or at least drastically reducing dairy and sugar (and alcohol if you use it) are good things to try. Drinking more water and exercising too. Try to regulate your hormones naturally so that breakouts aren't triggered by abrupt fluxuations. Vitamin D and Vitamin A are important (cod liver oil).

What kind of birth control pill were you on for acne and how long were you on it? Certain types of progesterone found in various pills are better at at helping acne then others. In general, drospirenone is the accepted type for acne, although carries a higher risk of blood clots. Also, I don't know how long you have stuck with topical treatments but it does take time to really see results with most things.

If you do end up being able to see a dermatologist, ask them about spironlactone as well. A lot of women have had success with that treatment. As far as treating acne topically while you are attacking it from within, ask the derm about topical retinoids (adapalene, retin-a, etc.). Also, clindamycin as a topical antibiotic is really helpful to me.

If nothing else, a topical benzoyl peroxide treatment may help you and you can get that over the counter. I use Panoxyl Creamy Wash 4% (that's an over the counter BP wash. I don't know what the availability of BP is in the UK right now). It made a huge difference in my acne in just a matter of weeks. By the time I went to the derm for the first time, I was perhaps 85% clear just from using BP wash.

I have bipolar depression and my moods are somewhat out of control. I tend to hurt those around me and I've considered taking medications to help with my behavior and help those close to me, but all the medications seem to lead to severe acne! On top of that I tried recently taking Chlorophyll tablets, but ever since I started taking them my skin has been out of control! I just started using AcneFree last night. I have yet to see any change in my skin but I'm sure it will work in due time. I've never had such bad acne before. I usually had a few breakouts and minor scarring but it's gotten significantly worse. Also to be honest I use drugs. I've talked with may other drug users and they say their skin was affected by certain pills. I've stopped doing these magical pills and my skin was wonderful but as soon as my depression worsened and I started taking those tablets my skin has been embarrassing. My skin type is combination but mostly dry I'd say. I'm of fair complexion as well. I'm getting very worried about my moods as it is now affecting my relationship with my mother and significant other, but I'm too scared to try hormone manipulating drugs. My skin worsening is one of my biggest fears at this point and it's causing my mood to alter as well. Any suggestions?

What I will say as youre from the UK, please go to your GP and talk to them about your depression. Also please tell your GP to refer you to a dermatologist!!! the waiting lists are 3months for the first op. It's ridiculous that you GP hasn't referred you?

PS. If you want to talk to someone you can message me privately.