Q:
Did you ever have counseling to deal with the emotional impact of psoriasis?
A:
Absolutely. I've gone to therapy and dealt with it, because it is traumatizing, especially when you are a child going through it. Kids pick on you, and to not feel like you are a part of anything, you just feel alone. I'm a firm believer in having someone to talk to who's not a part of your everyday life. It definitely helped.
It has been incredibly traumatizing, it has taken a mental toll on me, but it is something that I am getting through day by day. I am slowly, slowly coming out of the hole that it puts you in.
Q:
Is stress a trigger for you? How do you handle such a stressful job?
A:
Stress is a huge trigger for me, and it is definitely hard. The beginning of my career was a whirlwind, and I went through lawsuits with my parents and my record label—that was a really tough time for me. Any kind of major stress like that instantly brings on a flare-up.
At the first sign of anything on my body, I know that I am too stressed out. I do yoga. I work out. I eat right. I try not to put too much on my plate and to get out and have some fun. The main thing is having friends and a great support group around me that I know loves me for me. Being physically active has been a huge help in my stress level.
Q:
How long did it take you to find a treatment that worked?
A:
Twenty-two years. I tried everything from topicals to orals to injections—all different things. The craziest treatment I did was one where they put coal tar all over your body and wrap you in plastic. I would have panic attacks; it became very claustrophobic.
Something would work for a while, and then it would wear off and I would break out again. Different treatments work for different people, so I think the most important thing is trial and error. But there are so many more things available than when I was a child.
Psoriasis:Living With Psoriasis
Health Journey
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Health's Top Stories
Get a weekly look at the most popular stories on Health.com.
NEXT
