Tag Archives: psoriatic arthritis symptoms

Psoriatic Arthritis Awareness Day

September 28th Marks the First Annual Psoriatic Arthritis Awareness Day

Wednesday, September 28, 2016 is the first-ever nationwide Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) Awareness Day, enacted to raise awareness of the painful inflammatory disease that may develop in conjunction with psoriasis. Approximately 30% of people with psoriasis, the skin disease that causes dryness, itchiness or scaly rashes, also develop psoriatic arthritis, which can affect the entire body and may lead to permanent joint and tissue damage if not identified and treated early and aggressively.

Currently, more than one million Americans live with PsA, although this number may be higher, as the disease may be underreported. Continue reading September 28th Marks the First Annual Psoriatic Arthritis Awareness Day

Emotional Toll Psoriatic Arthritis Depression

The Emotional Toll of Psoriatic Arthritis

The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are usually quite visible – painful, swollen joints, skin reactions and fatigue. Less apparent, but just as impactful, is the emotional toll the disease can take.

“They tell me that it’s taxing,” Julie Nelligan, PhD, a Portland Oregon-based psychologist, says of her psoriatic arthritis patients. “They may say things like, ‘Nobody understands me, I feel like I’m not contributing. I’m lonely, I’m anxious because I don’t know when I can get things done and I can’t commit to doing things,’” she adds.

Living with a disease that has both subtle and obvious symptoms can be a double-edged sword. When you don’t have any noticeable skin lesions, friends and family might not realize how much pain you’re in, and fail to take your illness seriously.
Continue reading The Emotional Toll of Psoriatic Arthritis