Changing your perspective

Tena B., Age 48
Living with psoriasis since 1971

Many of us can remember the insecurities and self-doubt that come with being a teenager. So it's not hard to imagine how overwhelmed Tena felt when, at the age of 13, she was diagnosed with psoriasis. She remembers not wanting to go to the pool or even to a friend's house for a sleepover—not to mention dating, which she felt was out of the question. Tena was simply too embarrassed by her skin symptoms.

After years of feeling frustrated with therapies that did little for her symptoms, Tena made a decision: While she continued to search for a treatment to provide the results she hoped for, she would also do what she could to improve her attitude toward her condition. As she explains it, "You can look at psoriasis as either making you bitter or making you a better person." Determined not to define her life by her condition, Tena stopped covering up. She found this helped her to feel empowered when it came to dealing with the emotional aspects of the disease. As she recalls, "It was a turning point in my life."

Tena also began to learn as much as she could about psoriasis and how to help manage it, explored different treatment approaches, and paid more attention to her diet. Eventually, her persistence and positive thinking paid off: Working closely with her dermatologist, Tena found a therapy that helped provide relief from her skin symptoms she had been seeking.