Is society sensitive enough to people with acne?

Question

I had terrible acne all throughout high school--so badly in fact that I was put on Accutane twice. I found it to be one of the most emotionally debilitating times of my life. My question is this--do you think society understands how much acne can affect a person psychologically and emotionally? I've noticed that people tend to categorize it as something that teens go through and it's just a natural part of life without acknowledging the damaging effects it can have on a person's psyche. Thoughts?

Answer 1

Why not ??

Is this even a question , WTF

Answer 2

Society as a whole is not sensitive towards people who have acne. I think, generally, society might even classify those people as being low maintenance and even blame them for having acne. For instance, people might blame the person who has acne as it being their own fault for not having good hygiene. Obviously, people in High School or any grade level, really don't understand the concept of taking the role of the other. Meaning, they cannot comprehend the amount of psychological damage that having acne can cause a person. At this point in their life, they are trying to find out who they are. Some adults can lack taking the role of the other and not understand, and like you said, they will disregard it as something of a phase that EVERY teen goes through, so they put little attention to it.

I know the amount of damage, psychologically and emotionally, that having acne causes. It's not a superficial thing of, being afraid of not getting accepted or trying to fit in. But, it's more the fact that if you have acne people just automatically judge you without giving you a chance. So in turn, you shut off from doing things, i.e, you don't want your picture taken or don't want to participate in any events. Basically, even to the point of hating yourself for having acne.

And, I think society should be more accepting of the fact that some kids/adults will have it worse than others.

Answer 3

I think public understanding of acne has greatly improved in the 30 plus years since I was a teenager but it still isn't perfect. One difference between now and when I was in my teens is that acne is recognized as being a skin disease instead of a condition that is caused by poor hygiene, eating greasy foods, or eating chocolate. Young people today are lucky that there are medications available to reduce the severity of their acne or eliminate it completely. In my day, those who had it had to suffer from public embarrassment resulting from their condition and hope the scarring they had wouldn't be too severe. There were no medications available back then.

Answer 4

Everyone with achne is classed as pizza face.... Just the way it is.... But eventually it will come there turn.. Ive never had it but i do take pity on those that do.. No point in lying and saying "oh its perfectly fine its all part of growing up bla bla bla"  because you know as well as i do that it doesnt change what people are thinking.... To answer your question NO, society is not sensitive enough to people with achne and i dont think they ever will be

Answer 5

I've never actually thought of it that way. And I guess you're right... I havn't actually experienced bad acne but I'm guessing it isn't fun and people who have/had it would know that for sure. It would affect people emotionally because most people would be so subconscious about how they look and what other people are thinking. Other people don't realise that the person diddn't ask for this and they can't help it. Yer... I have more to say but I can't really word it... But yer thats my thoughts...