DeepSummary
The episode discusses the psychological impact of acne, a common skin condition affecting 84% of people between ages 13-25. Acne is a significant source of insecurity, embarrassment, and low self-esteem, impacting social activities, work/study, interpersonal relationships, and overall confidence. Despite its prevalence, there is stigma and shame surrounding acne, perpetuated by media portrayal of flawless skin and misconceptions about its causes.
Research shows that people with acne experience anxiety, depression, social isolation, and difficulties in dating and relationships. The constant exposure to edited images on social media creates unrealistic beauty standards and feelings of inadequacy. The episode highlights the need to normalize acne, follow acne-positive influences, and address mental health consequences through therapy and self-acceptance.
The host shares personal experiences with acne and provides strategies to manage self-image and self-esteem, such as focusing on confidence-boosting activities, challenging negative thoughts through the "what if" game, and gradually exposing oneself to being makeup-free. The goal is to create an environment where individuals with acne see themselves reflected positively, rather than facing constant perfection propaganda.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Acne is a common skin condition, affecting 84% of people between ages 13-25, but it carries significant psychological impact.
- Acne is a source of insecurity, embarrassment, low self-esteem, and can impact social activities, work/study, interpersonal relationships, and overall confidence.
- Despite its prevalence, there is stigma and shame surrounding acne, perpetuated by media portrayal of flawless skin and misconceptions about its causes.
- Exposure to edited images on social media creates unrealistic beauty standards and feelings of inadequacy.
- Strategies to manage the psychological impact of acne include normalizing it, following acne-positive influences, challenging negative thoughts, and gradually exposing oneself to being makeup-free.
- Therapy and addressing mental health consequences, such as anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphic disorder, can be beneficial.
- Creating an environment where individuals with acne see themselves reflected positively, rather than facing constant perfection propaganda, is crucial.
- Self-acceptance and focusing on confidence-boosting activities can help overcome the insecurities associated with acne.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Acne is the most common skin condition in the world, but it's mainly experienced by people between puberty and their early 30s, sometimes a little bit after that.“ by Jemma Beggs
- “When we have this huge cumulation combination of factors, that's going to create a lot of further symptoms of serious mental health conditions. One in particular that I want to talk about is body dysmorphic disorder.“ by Jemma Beggs
- “I think the biggest issue in this is managing self image and self esteem. And part of that is starting to normalize acne for yourself.“ by Jemma Beggs
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Episode Information
The Psychology of your 20s
iHeartPodcasts
2/16/24
Acne has just as many emotional and mental symptoms as it does physical. Having acne in our 20s is a significant source of insecurity, frustration and hopelessness, impacting how we go about making new friends, dating, career opportunities and so much more. In this episode we break down the psychology of acne, investigating the myths about the causes of acne, the subsequent stigma towards acne, the mental consequences we are observing more and more, the impact of social media and facetune, along with how we can manage our self esteem in the face of chronic acne. Listen now!
The article I reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5029236/
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
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