Flourish in the Workplace

America's Premier Career Coach Helps Psoriasis Sufferers Find Better Ways to Flourish in the Workplace

by Robin Ryan

As a career counselor, I know that a certain level of stress at work is normal. Everyone worries about their job performance, bosses, co-workers, or clients. And as the wife of someone with psoriasis, I understand that people with the condition may also deal with an extra strain—how they look. This added pressure, coupled with the embarrassment of co-workers' misperceptions, can become a career stumbling block for some.

It's natural to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or self-conscious in front of co-workers or bosses about the appearance of your skin. It can be very hard to approach your colleagues about work items when you're uneasy around them, and it can be even worse when you think your colleagues don't understand what your psoriasis is. You may try to avoid them, isolate yourself, or even plateau your career because of your feelings.

If you find that your psoriasis is an obstacle or a negative experience for you at work, you are not alone. Many others have faced the same challenge, and yet excelled at work. They have a positive approach, and implemented some key ways to better manage their job, workplace, and co-workers. The following strategies may help you improve your work situation.

• Educate others. Be up front and open about your condition. Talking with co-workers and bosses can help them understand what you're going through, and will teach them that they don't have to be afraid of your condition. Be sure to mention that they cannot catch it from you, which is often what others are worried about. By simply offering a few facts on the condition, you will make life much easier for yourself at work and reduce your anxiety—and theirs.
  
  
• Get it out in the open quickly. Don't hesitate to speak to your boss. The sooner he or she has a better understanding about your psoriasis, the less questions and misperceptions you'll have to address later. Your boss can help others understand too. Also, prepare a line or two to tell a co-worker or a customer, if necessary. Once done, you'll more often than not find acceptance and understanding, and then you can stop worrying about what others might be thinking.
  
  
• Focus on getting results at work. Emphasize to your boss that you have key talents and strengths that you contribute. Develop these attributes. Set goals together to be in-sync with your boss's objectives. Focus on producing results and be sure others know that you can be depended on to get the job done. Employers notice results! You'll find promotions, better assignments, and more success will result when you concentrate on excelling in your job.
  
  
• Seek out supporters. Others who suffer from a chronic illness will likely be empathic to your condition. Make friends with those who understand your condition. If you find you are having an issue with other workers, seek out extra help from HR. At times, you may have to deal with painful flare-ups, but stress to your boss that you are still capable of fulfilling your responsibilities. Then state exactly what you need, such as a few hours off to go to the doctor or to work from home.
  
  
• Be proactive. If you feel that your condition is inhibiting your performance, go to a dermatologist to discuss your current treatment and figure out if there are other options. It's possible that your treatment isn't properly managing your symptoms. Your dermatologist may recommend something else you can try that may work better for you so that your symptoms do not interfere with your career. New medicines come out all the time, so checking with your doctor can be your wisest move of all.

Robin Ryan is considered America's top career coach with over 1000 TV and radio appearances including Dr.Phil, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Fox News Channel, and CNN. She is the best-selling author of: What to Do With the Rest of Your Life; 60 Seconds & You're Hired!; Winning Résumés; and Winning Cover Letters. A licensed vocational counselor, she has a popular career counseling practice in Seattle.

Back to top