Seborrheic dermatitis is a common form of eczema that generally affects the scalp, face, and chest, causing dandruff, inflamed skin, and scaly patches on parts of the body that are easily seen. Although seborrheic dermatitis rarely leads to serious physical issues, research has shown that it can reduce your quality of life.

Members of MySebDermTeam have described how this skin condition can take an emotional toll. “It’s ugly and messes with my self-esteem,” said one member.

Although the emotional trauma of a rash, dandruff, or other symptoms that affect your physical appearance can lead to low self-esteem and mental health issues, researchers believe there’s also a biological connection. If you’re facing a stressful event or worrying about a flare-up, your immune system may respond by producing excess cortisol (a stress hormone), which can lead to skin inflammation and intensify the seborrheic dermatitis symptoms that triggered your anxiety in the first place. Also, under times of stress, a person may not wash their skin or use medicines as consistently, leading to worsening symptoms. It’s a vicious cycle.

Although little is known about the direct connection between skin diseases and mental health, there are ways to reduce stress and improve your quality of life. In this article, we explore common mental health conditions associated with seborrheic dermatitis and offer coping strategies.

Linking Mental Health Conditions and Seborrheic Dermatitis

Mental health conditions affect millions of adults, including many who have not been diagnosed with a chronic (ongoing) skin condition or another disease. If seborrheic dermatitis is affecting your mental health, you’re not alone. Consider these statistics regarding mental health and skin conditions:

• According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, 20 percent of adults in the United States are living with a mental health condition.
• An estimated 31 percent of U.S. adults will experience an anxiety disorder at some point.
• A National Eczema Foundation study found that more than 30 percent of people living with atopic dermatitis (the most common subtype of eczema) had been diagnosed with anxiety or depression.
• Another study found that 32 percent of people living with seborrheic dermatitis were at risk of anxiety and 34 percent were at risk of depression.

Those numbers might provide comfort, validation, and assurance that it’s far from unusual to have a mental health issue — such as anxiety and stress, depression, and insomnia — especially if you have a skin disease.

Anxiety and Stress

Although people often use the words “stress” and “anxiety” interchangeably, stress is generally caused by external triggers, whereas anxiety persists for long periods, often without a specific cause.

With seborrheic dermatitis, for example, developing a rash on your face may cause stress before a social event or an important presentation, but anxiety about your diagnosis may be constant. Both conditions can lead to symptoms including:

• Irritability
• Muscle pain
• Fatigue
• Sleep problems

Depression

The relationship between depression and eczema is so strong that depression is recognized as a comorbidity of eczema, which means the two conditions commonly occur together. Symptoms of depression include:

• Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty
• Losing interest in hobbies or activities you once enjoyed
• Finding it hard to concentrate
• Having less energy than usual

If you’ve been experiencing symptoms such as those for two weeks or longer, you may be depressed and should seek help.

Insomnia

People with insomnia have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. They may also struggle to get quality sleep. With seborrheic dermatitis, insomnia may be caused by persistent itching or anxious thoughts about your diagnosis. Chronic insomnia can raise your risks of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, and other health conditions, so if you’re having sleep difficulties, ask your doctor for help.

If you have questions about any of these mental health conditions, or if your experience does not align with one of these conditions, talk to your health care provider or a mental health professional.

Note: If you are having a mental health emergency, you can contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline by texting 988 or chatting online.

Supporting Your Mental Health

Although stress and depression are risk factors for seborrheic dermatitis, you can be proactive in caring for and supporting your mental health. Self-care may not eliminate all your physical symptoms, but it should alleviate some of them.

Talk to Your Doctor

Start by talking to your primary care provider or dermatologist, as they may be unaware of how much the condition affects your life. They may be able to change your medication, discuss topical options, or adjust your current dosage if side effects from your seborrheic dermatitis treatment are contributing to your stress or anxiety. They should also be able to refer you to a mental health specialist.

With any chronic disease, the patient-doctor relationship is critical to your well-being. Communicate your needs and ask for help so your doctor can treat you as a whole person, not just address your dermatology issues.

Meet With a Therapist

Therapy is available in many forms, so you can engage in the way you’re most comfortable. You can meet with a mental health provider in person, on the phone, or over video, and sometimes even via text or email.

If you need help finding a licensed therapist, ask your doctor or insurance company for a list of providers, contact the National Eczema Association, or ask family and friends. You might need to try different therapists — keep looking until you find one who listens to you and makes you feel heard.

Join a Support Group

Seborrheic dermatitis affects about 11 percent of the U.S. population, but if no one else in your immediate social circle has it, you may feel alone. Consider joining a support group to connect with others who can relate to your experience.

The National Eczema Association and MySebDermTeam are two places to start. You may also find a community by searching Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms for groups focused on atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and other skin disorders.

Put Your Feelings in Writing

Journaling about how you feel can help you process your emotions and release stress. It can also help you identify potential triggers of your seborrheic dermatitis. “I’m having a flare-up on my scalp this week,” said one MySebDermTeam member. “I think it’s a combination of the winter weather and the stress of returning to work after a long vacation.”

Keeping a journal doesn’t have to mean writing in a notebook. You can also type notes into your phone or computer or create a video journal. Everyone has their preferences, so find what works for you.

Get Your Body Moving

Researchers have found that as little as five minutes of aerobic exercise can help ease tension, stabilize moods, improve self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. You can move your body in all kinds of ways to reap the benefits of exercise. You could take a walk, jog, ride a bike, dance, swim, or climb stairs — whatever gets you active and helps lift your spirits. Before starting any new exercise program, talk to your doctor and follow their recommendations.

Take Time To Relax

What image comes to mind when you think of relaxing? A cup of tea and a good book? A candlelit bubble bath? A soothing art or craft project? Think about the type of activities that help calm you, and incorporate those into your day to keep stress at bay or reduce anxiety during difficult moments.

As you consider different relaxation techniques, you might find you benefit from:

• Meditating
• Practicing yoga or tai chi
• Listening to music
• Doing a creative activity, like painting, writing, knitting, or crocheting
• Taking slow, deep breaths

Relaxing can also mean knowing and honoring what your body needs to heal. “Stress is causing a flare-up all along my hairline and forehead,” said one MySebDermTeam member. “I’m going to do an overnight scalp treatment tonight.”

By paying attention to your symptoms, whether they involve your skin condition or your mental health — or both — you can take steps to improve your overall well-being.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MySebDermTeam is the social network for people with seborrheic dermatitis and their loved ones. On MySebDermTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with seborrheic dermatitis.

Has seborrheic dermatitis affected your mental health? Does stress lead to flare-ups for you? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.