Anyone dealing withhidradenitis suppurativacan tell you that it can be extremely painful both physically and emotionally.
And its understandable that you might feel emotionally drained from managing the concerns of this painfullifelong condition.
Here are a few things that work for them that you might find helpful.
Sara K Byrne/Adobe Stock
Participate in relaxing activities to reduce flare-ups.
For me, relaxing involves being outdoors, exercising, and cooking, she tells SELF.
Sarah F., 28, agrees that she gets more bumps whenever shes feeling particularly worried about something.
To combat this, Sarah does her best to do things that make her feel calm.
(Hereare more ideasthat can help.)
Find a community of people who have hidradenitis suppurativa.
Lindsay M., 23, gets this support by connecting with people on social media.
It makes me very happy that I am able to offer that support and help others find treatment.
Ghazal G., 34, agrees that finding a support group has been invaluable to her well-being.
I like to attend theHope for HSvirtual group meetings.
Write about your experiences and emotions.
For Sarah,journaling is a cathartic experience.
Journaling is perhaps the most powerful method that I use to help with my mental health, she says.
So I began noticing diet trends or stressful situations that I knew would eventually lead to a flare.
And my journals became a combination of hidradenitis suppurativa documentation along with a mental health check-in.
Speak to yourself as kindly and positively as you might.
Lindsay does this to remind myself that this is a medical conditionnot a flaw and not a fault.
Ghazal makes it a habit to look at positive affirmation cards.
I like to pull one out every morning to start my day, she says.
it’s possible for you to start by saying something simple like, I am loved.
(Here are moreideas for realistic affirmationsthat you might connect with.)
Do something physical that you enjoy.
Rock climbing is the one activity that makes Sarah feel better nearly every single time she does it.
When my mental health is bad, my favorite thing to do is hit the wall, she says.
Bethan says getting outside to work out is vital for her mental health.
Nothing helps to clear my head quite like a run, she explains.
If youre really struggling, you may find it helpful to speak with a therapist.
Of course, it can take some work tofind a therapistthat is accessible and that you might connect with.
Otherwise, websites likeOpen PathandThero.orginclude directories of therapists who accept reduced-fee payments.
Or you may find comfort in online support groups like Hope for HS.
