HS and depression is far too common. HS can and does have a significant impact on our lives physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Quality of Life Impact
People with HS can socially isolate themselves and report feelings of low self-worth and depression. Much time is spent adapting to life with HS and trying to understand the disease and the impacts on your life. People experience limitations in completing activities of daily living due to the pain associated with inflamed and extremely painful lesions. People also experience weight gain from limited activity as a result of the disease. Constant seepage and discharge from abscesses, often times with odor can trigger embarrassment, self-consciousness, and isolation.
HS can reduce your quality of life, especially for those with disease in exposed areas on the body. This quality of life impact is often attributed to pain, smell, scars, and morbidity associated with the condition. This condition can have a significant impact on social interactions with others as it causes irritability, frustration, depressed mood, embarrassment, fear of social stigmatization, sexual distress, and can cause anxiety.
Support
Support is extremely important; you cannot do this alone. Find an online support group that you are comfortable with. Do not be ashamed to speak out about your disease with your friends and loved ones. The more people who understand what is going on with you the more support you are able to obtain. Do not be afraid to lean on others. Seek out therapy and do not be ashamed. If you do not have an animal, look into support/therapy animals.
Mindset
While HS can have a negative impact, there are many with HS who live happy and fulfilled lives. There are times that HS can actually have a positive influence on your life being vulnerable and allowing your support system to help you can be an empowering thing. Knowing you have so many people who are supportive of you physically and emotionally is an uplifting experience. Many of us learn how to navigate through this disease and make accommodations in our lives so that we can live as normal a life as possible. Many of us go to work daily like everyone else and may keep an emergency kit at work, we may pass up some activities that others will partake in because of the toll it takes on our bodies, but we persevere and enjoy life as much as everyone else around us. This is not a life sentence, and even those who persevere still have down days and periods.
You are more than your HS.
Related Articles:
One of many studies on depression and HS can be found here.
Content in this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have read on this website.
Written by Denise Panter-Fixsen
Edited by Brindley Kons