Stress Center Peer Support

Those that may not know what vitiligo is, vitiligo is where the autoimmune system attacks the pigments of the skin, causing discoloration. It is not dangerous, nor can anyone get it. It can however it can cause social anxiety. It can be embarrassment. Unless wearing make up it is hard to hide. Every time something happens it makes me wonder what now. Not a whole lot is seems to be shy or scared of it. People know little to nothing at all about it. Most of all lots do not know what it is like to have it. Walking around looking and feeling different. Some times hoping no one will point out that they notice. It is like getting re-use to your own skin. Some say what is the big deal. In reality it is not a big deal. Feeling wise it can be a huge hurtle to jump.

In a chat room it is very easy to hide, no one has to see it. I am not really hiding it. It is taking my pigments more and more. I feel right now like a freak. I can no longer expose myself to daylight, or I have to cover up. Not that I am hiding it. Sun processes this condition, where there is no pigments I burn every time I am out in the sun, and I can blister. I am having anxiety attacks over this. Many may not be able to relate to vitiligo, but many can relate to the anxiety attacks.

Hey John,

I know the skin codition you have, my grandmom had it. Even though I do not have it, I have felt like you before. My mom and I both are allergic to poison ivy. When we get it our eyes swell shut, our face blows up, and we have sores all over our bodies from the poison ivy. I got it like that really bad when I was 8 or 9. My mom had to take me to the doctor and everyone in the waiting room was staring at me. There were a lot of young kids there, because it was a peditrician's office, and they were scared of me. We had to go to the drug store afterwards and my mom remembers all of these adults staring at me like I was freak. I know I looked bad. I can laugh at myself now when I look at the pictures, but it was very hurtful to feel that way. Even though I don't have to deal with this on a daily basis, and your's just can't go away like my poison ivy did, I know how it feels like to be stared at like your some freak.

I'm sure people that are severly overweight, have a disformaty, or a disability have the same issue. People that don't know your condition say what's the big deal. But you're right, if they had it might be a big deal to them. It's the same thing with anxiety. People say the same thing to me, what's the big deal, what are you so afraid of, get over it. And yes the things I believe sometimes are silly and are not a big deal but to me is.

This program will help you with self confidence. You are always going to deal with ignorant people in life. It's just apart of it unfortunately and I'm sure you know that. You will have plenty of friends here that can help you and listen when you have a problem. Good luck with everything.