Vitiligo and Mental Health

Hi everyone, I am 39 and have had vitiligo about 12 years. It's mainly on my hands and face. I am from Scotland and am quite pale anyway but it still has massive affects on my confidence and self esteem. This summer I have found particularly hard and have found myself slipping into depression often. I am tired a lot and my vitiligo dominates my thought. I always think about the future and how terrible it may be. I am so self conscious it's becoming a worry. I just feel like there is a big dark cloud over my head and the future is only going to be worse. No one has ever noticed my vitiligo yet, but I dread the day they do as I fear I will never go out again.

I have tried to stop these negative thoughts but they just come back worse. Most of my eyebrows have fallen out and I am sure my hair is now receding but my scalp is so itchy. One side of my head is definately losing hair so not sure if I have alopecia now too. I also discovered that my 14 year old daughter has about 8 tiny spots of white on her forearm. This for me is the worst thing ever. I have taken no treatment for my vit but wonder if she should. I don't even want to bring it to her attention to be honest.

I worry all the time. Not quite sure why I am writing all this down. I guess I feel lost and desperate, but then kick myself as there are so many other people worse off then me!

Hi There,

I am so sorry to hear that you are feeling depressed and defeated. Vitiligo is hard to deal with. I don't have it on my face, so I don't know how that feels. But I do have darker/tan skin, so mine is quite noticeable if I don't hide it (most of the time I cover up to avoid questions).

There are a couple of things that you said that caught my attention. The fact that you are tired and losing your hair means VERY LIKELY that you are hypothyroid, and may even have autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's). Loss of eyebrows is a hallmark of hypothyroid. I am currently being treated for hypoadrenalism, low cortisol (which can cause vitiligo), and thyroid.

Here are a couple of articles that explain this:

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/hypoadrenalism.htm

http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/1697/Ho...

I can relate to feeling too tired to even move. And that can make it hard to have the strength to fight your vitiligo. But, based on your symptoms, if you can, get to a holistic doc ASAP. He/she will get you the help you need. Once you start feeling better, your mental outlook may change for the better so that you feel strong enough to cope.

I hope this helps, I have added you as a friend...Keep in touch ;)

Replies

Linda Gee November 13, 2013 at 4:11am

Hi, I just joined this society. I feel like you do too. I am becoming reclusive and keeping alot of anger and depression inside. I feel guilt for my depression because I should be grateful for life itself. It's a vicious mentally debilitating life altering disease.
- chris douglas > Linda Gee November 13, 2013 at 4:31am
  
  thanks for the words and sorry to hear it's so tough for you. Is there any way you can focus on the positives more?
Tony October 25, 2013 at 7:44pm

Hi Chris,

I am also 39 and have had vitiligo since I was borned. Yes you are right it can be depressing if you think about what may look like versus how you looked like. Vitligo is a condition that most people do not know about and when they ask it is out of curiosity. I have vitiligo on my neck and when I was growing up it was very common for my classmates to ask me what is was. In my experience vitiligo has a mind of its own. If you try to cure it it will fight back and grow where as if you leave it alone it will be not grow. I must have seen all of the dermatologists in Seattle about my vitiligo but realized it doesn't control my life. How you want others to view you is up to you. I have chosen to live my life without hiding my condition. People may stare because they're curious. If you want to cover your vitiligo there is a waterproof solution. Google vitiligo cover lotion which I've heard will blend using your existing skin.
Tawny October 24, 2013 at 8:09am

Hi There,

I am so sorry to hear that you are feeling depressed and defeated. Vitiligo is hard to deal with. I don't have it on my face, so I don't know how that feels. But I do have darker/tan skin, so mine is quite noticeable if I don't hide it (most of the time I cover up to avoid questions).

There are a couple of things that you said that caught my attention. The fact that you are tired and losing your hair means VERY LIKELY that you are hypothyroid, and may even have autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's). Loss of eyebrows is a hallmark of hypothyroid. I am currently being treated for hypoadrenalism, low cortisol (which can cause vitiligo), and thyroid.

Here are a couple of articles that explain this:

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/hypoadrenalism.htm

http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/1697/Ho...

I can relate to feeling too tired to even move. And that can make it hard to have the strength to fight your vitiligo. But, based on your symptoms, if you can, get to a holistic doc ASAP. He/she will get you the help you need. Once you start feeling better, your mental outlook may change for the better so that you feel strong enough to cope.

I hope this helps, I have added you as a friend...Keep in touch ;)
Paula Kraskian Jardine October 4, 2013 at 9:49am

Part two: I've only had a few people comment on my two toned skin. If I personally mention it, there response is always "I know". I have good compassionate friends. I'm blessed.
- chris douglas > Paula Kraskian Jardine October 4, 2013 at 10:29am
  
  what do they mean by "I know"?
Paula Kraskian Jardine October 4, 2013 at 9:47am

I'm fair skinned too. That is a blessing. It's hard living in California where the sun shines all the time. If I tan you can see it like head lights. I say to myself. I know I have it, people around me know I have it.
Erin Elizabeth October 3, 2013 at 12:59pm

Hi Chris, it's great you have joined here and shared your thoughts ! All of us have those days where it's hard to shake off that cloud ! Have you ever had vitamin d and b5, b12 checked ? Vitamin d is hard to get enough of when you live far south or north on the globe, where there is worse weather and sunshine exposure. It really can affect mood. In regards to your daughter I think if you just focus on healthy diet an lifestyle that is the best influence you could have for the vit, don't make problems where they're not there. 14 year olds have enough to feel self conscious about, it doesn't need go become a "thing" in her life to worry about, if you are cool with it, she wil be cool with it! I try and think if it ad the body's way of reminding me to eat well, get antioxidants , a little sunshine and keep stress down. Live as clean as we can. We are the lucky ones to be aware!
- Erin Elizabeth > Erin Elizabeth October 3, 2013 at 10:10pm
  
  Yes I have noticed more freckling when I eat lots of kale, silverbeet etc actually!
- chris douglas > Erin Elizabeth October 3, 2013 at 8:40pm
  
  Thank you for your reply, I think you are right that keeping on top of stress is a big factor. Healthy diet changes are hard but I am willing to try. Someone told me that juicing greens is a great way to get alot of goodness into your body so I'm going to try that for a while.

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