Psycho-dermatology

[Brighteyes]

Hello everyone.
I've recently been told to stop taking MTX until I've had more bloods. It may be a blip in my results but who knows? I don't mind admitting, all the messing about has pi**ed me off and been getting me down.
Anyway, I've been putting my insomnia to good use by doing some research and have been chatting with Toby Hadoke. He's an actor, writer and Dr Who geek (amongst other things). My partner Nick met him last year at a Dr Who event. Toby also suffers with psoriasis.
After checking out Toby's blog and commenting, we've been tweeting & messaging.
The upshot is that he has had counselling with a psycho-dermatologist to help with the psychological effects of psoriasis and is also involved in a campaign called See Psoriasis, Look Deeper.
I wont post links, it can be easily googled, but I thought this information might be useful to someone. It's very interesting and they're trying to make more Dermatologists aware of the emotional impacts.

[Caroline]

Thanks Brighteyes, always interesting to see how people carry on with their psoriasis. Certainly good action to try making dermatologists better aware of the consequences of psoriasis in the psychological way. They really need that.

[Fred]

Sorry not for me it's just another publicity stunt from a big pharma company.

[Brighteyes]

Really Fred?
I read it as a positive step to raising awareness of mental health issues surrounding psoriasis.
If they were trying to sell something they failed with me as I didn't see anything for sale.
What I also took from it was the research & statistics which could prove a useful tool to (metaphorically) beat my Consultant over the head with and get him to see me as more than just an NHS hospital number.

<3

[Fred]

Really Fred?
I read it as a positive step to raising awareness of mental health issues surrounding psoriasis.
If they were trying to sell something they failed with me as I didn't see anything for sale.  
What I also took from it was the research & statistics which could prove a useful tool to (metaphorically) beat my Consultant over the head with and get him to see me as more than just an NHS hospital number.

<3

It's just me I don't think it's right that a drug manufacturers runs these type if websites, I posted about it before here: Should Drug Manufacturers run help websites for psoriasis?

If you look at the bottom of the website you will see " is organised and funded by AbbVie Ltd" I just find it wrong, sorry.

[jiml]

Hello everyone.  
I've recently been told to stop taking MTX until I've had more bloods. It may be a blip in my results but who knows? I don't mind admitting, all the messing about has pi**ed me off and been getting me down.  
Anyway, I've been putting my insomnia to good use by doing some research and have been chatting with Toby Hadoke. He's an actor, writer and Dr Who geek (amongst other things). My partner Nick met him last year at a Dr Who event. Toby also suffers with psoriasis.
After checking out Toby's blog and commenting, we've been tweeting & messaging.
The upshot is that he has had counselling with a psycho-dermatologist to help with the psychological effects of psoriasis and is also involved in a campaign called See Psoriasis, Look Deeper.
I wont post links, it can be easily googled, but I thought this information might be useful to someone. It's very interesting and they're trying to make more Dermatologists aware of the emotional impacts.

Hi Brighteyes. I hope you get some good news on your blood results soon so you can continue with something to help, don't want to see you with a bad flare again,
and glad to see you putting your insomnia to good use and widening your knowledge, an interesting read I thought  
Yes it's high time dermatologists were taught to look beyond the skin and physical side of the disease, they may be more ready to give good treatment if they understand.....
Are you considering counselling ?

Our hospital here in Norwich is a university hospital and trains doctors in all departments. I have been fortunate ( if that's the word) to be a training aid for the students and have gained a bit of knowledge listening and talking with the consultants, doctors and students.
I have always when talking to a group of student doctors emphasised the importance of gauging the mental effect the disease is having on the patient, the consultants are also telling them to be aware of a patients mental state.
I am being a " patient" for exams there next week, and will see how they assess me, and see if they ask me anything about the phycological effect the disease has on me as a patient

[Brighteyes]

That sounds really interesting Jim.
Although I just had an image of you sitting there like a life model. Only difference being the observers held stethoscopes instead of art supplies.

I have considered counselling although it's one of those things I tend to dismiss on my 'good days'. I'm adept at ignoring problems unfortunately.

Let me know if they do ask you any questions about psychological effects.

[Brighteyes]

It's just me I don't think it's right that a drug manufacturers runs these type if websites, I posted about it before here: Should Drug Manufacturers run help websites for psoriasis?

If you look at the bottom of the website you will see " is organised and funded by AbbVie Ltd" I just find it wrong, sorry.
[/quote]

To be fair, I didn't see that bit.
I agree that it's dubious for drug manufacturers to involved (hence why this is the only site I come to for advice and support).
All I'm doing is 'pinching' some information and research to enable me to open an effective dialogue with my Consultant.
Apologies if I stepped out of line.

[jiml]

That sounds really interesting Jim.
Although I just had an image of you sitting there like a life model. Only difference being the observers held stethoscopes instead of art supplies.  

I have considered counselling although it's one of those things I tend to dismiss on my 'good days'. I'm adept at ignoring problems unfortunately.

Let me know if they do ask you any questions about psychological effects.  

That must have been scary to have such an image pop into your mind....although I should be able to retain my modesty   . I will let you know about the questioning.

I think most of us are good at burying our head in the sand rather than address an issue. I don't think I've ever considered counselling. I have Fred here that's all the counselling I need  

[Fred]

Apologies if I stepped out of line.

Don't be daft you didn't step out of line, we all have our opinions and you didn't promote it as such so no harm done. I was just giving my opinion, I wasn't bollocking you so you don't need to apologise and I know you well enough to know you are only trying to help others.