Last Updated on 15th May 2023 by Caroline Haye
How our modern world is affecting people with vitiligo
Not so long ago “mental health” was a term we rarely came across in everyday life and in the media. But for the past several years we have been seeing and hearing it everywhere. Almost annoyingly so, some may say. And yes, you might think that mental health is just another trendy topic, the latest bandwagon for all and sundry to jump on. But maybe the reason we are talking about it so much now is because, for far too long, we refused to talk about it at all.
Unlike physical health, mental health was the invisible and unmentionable side of human well-being. Yet, when you think about it, having a healthy mind is just as important as having a healthy body, if not more so. In fact, the two are often more closely connected than we realise… Which is why I decided to devote this post to the relationship between vitiligo and mental health… And, more specifically, to the impact of our modern world on both conditions.
How is mental health linked to vitiligo?
You are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem or depression if you have a condition like vitiligo. Not just because of the visible difference it causes, but also because of the disconcerting nature of the disease… The fact that it starts for no apparent reason, is totally unpredictable and has no cure. Sadly, vitiligo patients often feel their condition is not taken seriously by their doctors because it is not life-threatening. But, in fact, this autoimmune condition is frequently linked to other physical health issues, as well as depression.
In certain cultures the stigma of having vitiligo can cause sufferers to feel like outcasts, even to the point of contemplating suicide. Outside of these cultures too vitiligo is misunderstood and under-recognised in comparison to other common skin diseases. And, as a result, many sufferers feel alone, unattractive and helpless. These are just some of the more obvious factors linking vitiligo and mental health.
The effect of the real world on our mental world
The impact of vitiligo on our internal, mental world, as I have outlined in the previous paragraph, is fairly obvious and is certainly nothing new. People with vitiligo have had to contend with the same psychological struggles throughout history. But it seems to me that in today’s world there are some new and powerful factors at play… Factors that have the potential to influence mental health either for better or for worse. And I believe that being aware of these may make it easier to avoid the threats, and make use of the opportunities, they present.
New threats to our mental health
It’s fair to say that our mental health has taken a massive beating over the past couple of years or so. The first-hand experience and ongoing medical, social, political and economic repercussions of over two years of pandemic has taken its toll on everyone’s state of mind. And there are two reasons why I see this as a new phenomenon. The first is that the scope of this event has been unprecedented. As a result of it, a collective sense of insecurity now exists on a global scale that previous generations never experienced. And the second is that we have never been so totally immersed in global current affairs than we are now.
Of course, the world has always been in turmoil. Bad things have always happened. But we were never so connected and informed (or, perhaps, increasingly misinformed) about them before… In vivid detail and in real time. Social media and 24/7 news has unleashed an endless onslaught of bad news (as well as good, if you choose to look for it) which is taking its toll on our individual and collective mental health. And this onslaught – on top of our everyday problems (like vitiligo) – can seriously disrupt our mental equilibrium if we let it. But, happily, there are always two sides to any coin…
New opportunities for better mental health
The very same aspects of modern life that have the power to damage our mental well-being can also improve it, as long as we know how to use them to our advantage. It may seem overly simplistic to say that keeping a sense of proportion and seeing our glass as half full instead of half empty are both good ways to maintain a healthy state of mind. But, in the context of my previous paragraphs, I think it’s worth stating the obvious. Why? Because in today’s uber-connected world we have to be more proactive than our ancestors ever were in protecting ourselves and our families from the destructive influences that surround us all on a daily basis. And the good news is that it is easy to be proactive.
If we don’t shield ourselves from of too much depressing information no one else will do it for us. And if we don’t take advantage of all the uplifting and helpful information available to us no one will do that for us either. Just being aware of this truth puts us in the driver’s seat. And there is nothing half so good for mental health as feeling in control.
Using the external world to stay in control of our internal world
I’m not advocating cutting ourselves off from world events. Sticking our head in the sand and living in a make-believe world is not a healthy response to reality. We need to know about wars, natural disasters, injustice and all human suffering. In fact, an awareness of these things can help keep our own troubles in proper perspective. And it certainly keeps our sense of compassion and humanity alive. But I do see a need to control our exposure to bad news. (Not only to bad news, but to useless, mind-numbing trivia too.) And the less time we spend soaking up mental poison through our devices, the more time we have available to benefit from all of the positive influences today’s world offers, both online and off.
After all, there has never been so much help, information, encouragement and inspiration so freely available (both general and vitiligo-related) as there is today. At the touch of a screen we can share time with dear friends and family all over the planet. We can laugh, cry, sing, dance and enjoy communicating with others anywhere and at any time, thanks to technology.
We can learn from, and share with, a vitiligo community that never even existed before the digital age. And we can get information about vitiligo treatments, participate in support groups and take part in discussions. There is almost no end to what we can do to feel better and help others to feel better about their vitiligo… Share pictures, jokes, experiences, tips and encouragement… Build self confidence, pride and awareness. Above all, we can know that we are not alone. So I believe that the positive influences of our modern world on our mental health are more powerful than the negative ones… As long as we choose to focus on them.
Physical and mental health are both fragile
Thinking about this topic has made me realise that mental health is no different from physical health in the sense that it can be incredibly fragile. Sometimes it only takes one event to set off a cascade of issues that then compound and become much more serious. Most of us are familiar with this scenario when it comes to our physical health. For example, we all know that, when we are a bit run down or “under the weather” to start with, we are more likely to go down with a cold or suffer from some kind of flare up of a chronic condition (like a cold sore or sinusitis, or whatever happens to be our weak spot). And we all know that getting too little sleep, eating a poor diet or being stressed can leave us more vulnerable to infections of all sorts.
One small improvement to our well-being at a time
In other words, it’s not uncommon to slide from normal health to poor health via a series of small steps. The good news, of course, is that the opposite is also true. It is possible to reverse this process by making one small improvement to our well-being at a time… Like stringing several nights of good sleep in a row, getting some wholesome nutrition, doing fun things with friends or taking some relaxing time out.
Similarly, our mental health can either deteriorate or improve in much the same way. We might cope perfectly well with our vitiligo, and every other aspect of life, for months or years on end, only to find that one simple event starts a domino effect of psychological symptoms. For example, one thoughtless or unkind comment from a stranger about your skin might be the catalyst that sets your mood in a downward direction. Or else some external life event, like illness, money worries or bereavement could start the process.
Whatever the trigger may be, it should be comforting to know that it only takes one small positive step at a time to get you moving back up the attitude curve toward good mental health again. One positive thought at a time, one simple pleasure at a time and one act of self-love at a time can create upward momentum in your state of mind that is just as irresistible as the downward momentum was.
Final comments
I am not a psychologist, doctor or counsellor. My thoughts on this subject are entirely those of someone who has lived with vitiligo most of her life and seen a lot of changes in the world around her in that time. (As well as in the world inside her). But I hope my thoughts have left you feeling as upbeat, or better, than you did before you began reading them. And, from the bottom of my heart, and in the immortal words of Dr Frasier Crane, I wish you “Goodnight [Seattle] – and good mental health!”
Related articles:
Positive thinking: 3 ways it could help your vitiligo
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