Never Ignore Your Doctor's Advice About Your Blood Pressure

I have always been in pretty good health, so I was surprised one day when my doctor told me my blood pressure was a bit high. She told me to begin watching my salt intake, start exercising, and to try to relax. Well, I intended to follow her advice when I left her office, but the next day I was back to my same habits. I kept using the salt shaker and didn't begin an exercise routine like I had planned. When I went for my next check-up, she told me that my blood pressure was even higher and approaching a dangerous level. I had to begin a blood pressure medication to manage it. I wanted to create a blog to share my story and remind people to listen to their doctors' advice. If a few lifestyle changes can improve your health, then you should make them.

4 Ways To Get Acne-Related Depression Under Control

Health & Medical Articles

The negative affects of acne go beyond skin blemishes and scarring. In fact, for many people with mild to moderate acne, a breakout would not be as important to treat if there were not devastating social and psychological affects of acne. These can include bullying, poor self-image, and depression. Luckily, there are several things you can do to avoid or treat acne-related depression. 

Treat Your Acne 

Even if you have occasional breakouts or moderate acne, if your acne is beginning to make you feel like you have to hide yourself or like it is keeping you from interacting with others the way you would like to, you should see a dermatologist at a place like Desert Dermatology and begin getting your acne treated. 

Many people, especially teenagers, feel like they have to suffer through their acne, or like it is a right of passage. However, with all of the modern advances in acne treatment, there is likely one that will work for you, and most insurances will cover the cost of your visit to a dermatologist. 

Getting your acne treated not only removes the source of your problem, but it also gives you a feeling of control in your life, which may be missing after years of suffering from acne. However, if you are taking oral acne medications, you should be vigilant about looking for further symptoms of depression, as some oral medications can cause it or make it worse

See a Therapist 

Even though your depression may be due to your acne, you should still consider seeing a therapist while you are getting your acne treated. This is because acne may have already influenced the way you feel about yourself and the way you interact with others. A therapist can help you recognize the habits you have developed while trying to live with acne and replace them with healthier, body-positive habits. 

Educate Your Friends and Family 

While teasing or bullying is a real problem for many sufferers of acne, some of the most hurtful comments may come from those you love the most. This is not because they do not love you, but because they do not know how much small comments or suggestions about your acne may hurt you. 

First of all, if you are not being honest about your acne with your loved ones, you should try to start. Let them know how you feel about your acne. Be specific about whether it makes you feel anxious or depressed. Tell them that you notice when they stare at your acne or how you feel when they give you suggestions for fixing your acne. Finally, let them know that you are getting your acne treated and ask for their support by interacting with you on your terms. 

These may be difficult conversations to have with your friends and family, and they may often forget and give you a suggestion about your acne or make-up, but you should notice an overall improvement in their actions towards you and how you feel about yourself around them. 

Meet Other People Suffering From Acne 

At some point during life, nearly 85% of people suffer from acne. That means that the majority of people can relate to what you are currently going through. However, if you tend to focus on yourself or spend time with people not suffering from acne, you may feel like you are going through it alone. You should try to notice those around you who have acne and spend less time focusing on yourself. 

If you are not comfortable talking about acne with your friends, then you can find an online support group where people will share their stories about bullying, depression, and anxiety, and how they have dealt with it. 

Suffering from acne is difficult enough, you should not have to suffer from depression as well. Try these four things to help deal with acne-related depression, and hopefully you will notice a difference soon. 

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30 December 2014