Is acne responsible for social anxiety disorders? The answer appears to be yes. Acne is a common skin problem affecting a large percentage of the population, both adolescent and adult. This disorder is often dismissed as a superficial problem associated with growing up; however studies have shown that it is much more than just "skin deep".

Acne patients have shown higher levels of anxiety and depression than other medical patients, including cancer patients. Studies have found that acne can have an important effect on self-image and self-esteem, which can lead to the inhibition of social interactions. Like a no-win situation the worst part is that acne produces stress which can worsen an existing acne problem.

Social Anxiety does not Discriminate by Age

As the media puts more emphasis on our looks, any blemish can influence your self-esteem. It is a not true to state that only teenagers suffer from anxiety disorders when it comes to acne problems. If the anxiety produced by acne is not treated while the patient is young, it will affect them throughout your life.

Severe acne can lead to physical scarring that can ultimately affect the patient's daily life and lead to such problems as social withdrawal and anxiety disorder.

Social phobia causes overwhelming fear that others are looking at you and judging you. Social phobia produces embarrassment about your appearance and makes social events stressful. This eventually takes a toll not only on your psychological health, but also on your physical health.

Anxiety disorders are the result of severe stress brought upon by severe acne. As with social phobia, anxiety disorders have many of the same symptoms. The important factor to remember is that both problems are treatable, and if not treated, they can lead to poor performance in school and poor social skills.

Dealing with Acne Problems

If you are suffering from anxiety brought about by acne, your first step is to seek medical attention for both problems. Acute cases of acne might entail special treatments for acne problems. Mild cases can be treated with over the counter products. In both cases you should pay special attention to your skin care routine.

Wash your face 2 times a day with a cleanser designed for your kind of skin. Exfoliate at least once a week if you are a teenager and more frequently as you age. Use a toner without alcohol to eliminate any remains of dirt or dead skin and finally, moisturize.

A cleansing routine is very simple and can make things easier for a person suffering from anxiety caused by acne problems.