My Psoriasis Journey

By: Brittany Cohn

Brittany in the beach

When I was a baby, I had such bad eczema I would scream in pain any time my mom tried to put clothes on me. By the time I turned 18, my eczema developed into psoriasis. I started seeing countless doctors, seeking and trying treatment after treatment to no avail. At my lowest point, I would drive to the hospital and stand in a light box four times a week, then go home and slather ointment all over my body. I would sit in it for hours, letting the thick ointment seep into my skin, ruining whatever I was wearing. I was miserable. 

In my early twenties, I was so self-conscious about my psoriasis and my body. I remember when my friends would go to the beach, I would casually exclude myself, not wanting to be caught dead in shorts, let alone a bikini. In social situations, I would get nervous thinking about what other’s thought about my psoriasis. Especially in an intimate setting, so dating was something I just completely opted out of. This kind of self-isolation definitely led me to a lonely place. Luckily for me, as I got treatment my self-confidence grew and I started being more social.

 When I was 25, I went on a trip to Hawaii. While at the pool, I was approached by a man who asked me about my condition. Assuming he would say something like “is that contagious?’ I was uninterested. We finally got to talking, when he told me that he was a dermatologist himself, and while he didn’t specialize in psoriasis, he knew someone who did. He gave me a referral to a dermatologist in New Jersey and I immediately made an appointment as soon as I got home. He referred me to Dr. Bagel, who immediately helped me find a treatment that worked for me and I couldn’t be happier. For the past 5 years, I’ve been taking an injectable medicine called Stelara, which has worked tremendously for me. While I don’t experience many of its side effects, Stelara is still a heavy duty medicine that can lower your immune system. From taking it, I often get colds, or a bit of swelling around the injection site, but it’s a trade off that I’m definitely willing to make. I still see Dr. Bagel to be treated.

I consider psoriasis a type of disfigurement. Disfigurement means something so personal to me because it means that from a societal standpoint, I’m different. As a woman living with psoriasis, I try to embrace that difference instead of looking at it as a negative. To me disfigurement is a topic of conversation and a way to bring others, like myself, together. 

Psoriasis is definitely a big part of my identity. Psoriasis affects my day-to-day activities from what outfits I choose to wear to even when I decide to socialize. But I like to think it’s one small part that makes up the whole of me.

When my psoriasis flares up, I always find myself working to fight off feelings of low self-esteem, which is so draining. If I stress too much, my psoriasis gets worse and I end up in this vicious cycle of ups and downs, so I have to work hard to keep my emotions balanced. Having a support group of women to share with and connect with through psoriasis has been a gift and has helped to fend off low self-esteem. A few of my friends and I call ourselves “psoriasisters” because it’s something that bonds us on a deep and emotional level that we can share. It’s been so wonderful to find a connection through our struggles and help encourage one another to overcome them. 

Brittany Cohn is a photographer and art director. Her psoriasis journey has helped her build the confidence to appear in front of the camera and often works as an influencer shooting self-portraits for various swimwear companies. Follow her @somegirlbrittany

If you want to know more about this skin condition, visit psoriasis.org

Comments

  • Posted by Donald Joshua on

    At last, a reliable and effective service I can rely on! I can only imagine how many people are struggling with crypto-related issues and are likely also unsure of their ability to find practical solutions. This is where Space Spy Recovery rightfully enters the picture as the best provider of the service, and their ability to help recover 550,000 EUROS that I lost due to online cryptocurrency theft clearly confirms their claim! Space Spy Recovery came to my rescue! Get in touch for free
    Email: soacespy@hackermail.com
    WhatsApp: +1 (458) 313 9075
    Telegram: @spacespy65
    Skype: live:.cid.2b75b0cf1ce9bf69

  • Posted by Merlin Hernandez on

    Two weeks ago, I found myself entangled in a complicated situation that started with a seemingly enticing Facebook post about investing with an FX Trader. The user claimed to have invested $8,000 and received back tenfold within just three days. Intrigued by the promise of significant returns, I decided to give it a shot, thinking it was an offer too good to refuse. However, as the days unfolded, what initially appeared as a lucrative opportunity turned into a financial nightmare. Over a month, I ended up paying over $15,000 to this FX Trader. Each attempt to withdraw my funds was met with additional requests for payment, citing various reasons. I found myself trapped in a cycle where they demanded more money under the guise of unlocking my profits and insisted on referrals before allowing any withdrawals. Feeling exhausted and frustrated, I decided to voice my concerns in a group, hoping for some guidance. Fortunately, a user in the group introduced me to a crypto recovery expert known as Spyware Cyber. Skeptical but desperate for a solution, I decided to reach out to them.Apone contacting Spyware Cyber  they requested my transaction history and details. Within a remarkably short span of seven hours, they asked for my wallet address and astonishingly sent me a substantial sum of $20,000. The relief I felt at that moment was indescribable, and I couldn’t thank them enough for their swift and effective intervention. The scam unfolded as a series of deceptive tactics employed by the FX Trader on Facebook. The promise of high returns lured me in, and the subsequent demands for additional payments created a financial entanglement. It wasn’t until a fellow user in a group recommended  Spyware Cyber that I had hope of retrieving my lost funds. For anyone finding themselves in a similar situation of financial deception and loss due to online scams, Spyware Cyber proves to be a reliable ally. Their expertise in recovering funds from fraudulent schemes, coupled with their swift response, can be a shoulder to lean for those seeking restitution. My personal experience stands as a testament to the effectiveness of ethical hackers in navigating the complexities of digital scams and providing a pathway to financial recovery. I’d recommend  Spyware Cyber if you might as well fall into the arms of these scammers. Reach  Spyware Cyber on Email: spywarecyber (@) cybergal (.) com 
    Telegram: (spywarecyber) Check out their Web site via: https://cybegal.net

  • Posted by Grant Calicius on

    Can Funds Lost In A Crypto Investment Scam Be Recovered? Yes: Visit iBolt Cyber Hacker.

    If you’ve fallen victim to a crypto investment scam and lost funds, don’t lose hope – recovery is possible with the expertise of iBolt Cyber Hacker. I recently found myself in this unfortunate situation and reached out to iBolt Cyber Hacker for assistance. Here’s why I highly recommend their services: iBolt Cyber Hacker exudes professionalism and dedication from the moment you contact them. They understand the complexities of crypto scams and are committed to helping victims reclaim their lost funds. In a relatively short period, iBolt Cyber Hacker successfully recovered a significant portion of my lost funds. Their efficiency and expertise surpassed my expectations.

    If you’re wondering whether funds lost in a crypto investment scam can be recovered, the answer is yes – visit iBolt Cyber Hacker. They are trustworthy, reliable experts for crypto scam recovery, Don’t hesitate to reach out to them for assistance.

    Contact Info:
    Email: ibolt @ cyber-wizard . com
    WhatsApp: +(39) (350) (929) (0554)
    Website: https: //iboltcyber hack. com/

Leave a comment