Anxiety that comes with something you cannot control often takes a toll on your body and your mind. People living with atopic dermatitis (AD), better known as eczema often experience this very thing. While the condition itself is visible on the skin, the mental exhaustion that comes with having it is rarely discussed.
Eczema isn’t just happening to your skin. For many people, it affects their confidence, social life, and peace of mind.
Schuyler Cunningham, the Director at the Center for Neurocognitive Excellence (DCNE), recently had the opportunity to discuss managing mental health challenges of AD in a video featured on WebMD. He shares mental health strategies that actually help people living with AD find relief.
The WebMD article, “Finding Comfort When You Have Atopic Dermatitis,” also covers medical treatments, triggers, and prevention strategies for the physical management side of things.
In addition to that feature, we want to explore the connection between eczema and anxiety more deeply and help bring attention to the silent suffering that can happen with people living with atopic dermatitis.
When Skin Symptoms Trigger Eczema Anxiety
For anyone with atopic dermatitis, the triggers that bring on anxiety are often tied to the stigma of how their skin looks to others.
That visible aspect creates its own kind of anxiety. People stare. People ask questions. People make assumptions. That can lead to withdrawing from social situations to protect yourself from judgment or uncomfortable explanations.
But the anxiety doesn’t stop at current symptoms. It’s also anticipatory.
You might worry about the next flare-up, scan your skin constantly for warning signs, or plan your wardrobe around coverage. Social events become decisions based on how your skin is doing that week. This kind of chronic vigilance is exhausting because your brain never fully relaxes.
Sound familiar?
When you’re in the middle of a flare-up, the physical discomfort combined with the emotional distress of being visible can trigger a flood of anxiety and stress. It’s not vanity. It’s the very human need to feel comfortable without constantly managing other people’s reactions to your body.
The Emotional Weight of Living with AD
The often unseen part of eczema is the mental toll it takes. You might cycle through sadness and fury depending on the day. These are normal responses to living with a chronic condition that affects both how you look and how you feel in your own skin.
What makes this even more challenging is the two-way relationship between your skin and your emotions. Eczema symptoms can increase your anxiety, and according to the National Eczema Association, stress and anxiety can trigger or worsen your eczema symptoms.
It’s a cycle that feeds itself.
This emotional toll is part of what makes AD so challenging to manage, which is why understanding the mental health aspect matters just as much as treating the physical symptoms.
If you have atopic dermatitis and you’re feeling overwhelmed, here are some experiences that might resonate:
- Anxiety that ramps up before social events
- Depression that settles in during prolonged flare-ups
- Social withdrawal because explaining feels too exhausting
- Loss of enjoyment in activities you used to love
- Anger at your body for betraying you again
What you’re experiencing isn’t just in your head. The connection between eczema and mental health has actually been researched, studied, and documented.
The Research-Backed Connection Between Eczema and Anxiety
Research published in PLOS ONE, “Eczema is a shared risk factor for anxiety and depression: A meta-analysis and systematic review,” demonstrates that eczema is a significant risk factor for developing both depression and anxiety.
This isn’t just a strong dynamic between AD and anxiety. The connection is so strong that researchers are calling for protective and preventative mental health measures for people with eczema.
This research validates what many people with AD already know from lived experience. The mental health component isn’t separate or secondary. It’s intertwined with the physical symptoms in ways that impact daily life, relationships, and overall wellbeing.
Rewriting the Stories Your Brain Tells You
One of the most powerful aspects of managing eczema anxiety involves recognizing the narratives running through your mind.
Cognitive distortions are the technical term for understanding these negative, automatic thoughts and what they actually are.
Here’s what this looks like in practice. You might notice yourself avoiding a social gathering because you’re having a flare-up. The thought behind that avoidance might be something like “everyone will see my skin and not want to be around me” or “no one will want to talk to me.”
But when you pause and examine that thought, you might recognize it’s an assumption rather than a fact. DCNE has custom worksheets and decades of experience teaching people how to understand and apply these cognitive behavioral therapy skills in therapy.
Maybe more people in your life have been supportive than you think. Maybe your closest friends have never made you feel judged about your skin. Maybe you’ve attended events during flare-ups before and survived just fine.
The goal isn’t to convince yourself that nothing’s wrong or to force yourself into situations that genuinely feel uncomfortable. The goal is to separate what’s actually happening from the catastrophic predictions your anxious brain is making.
At DCNE, we can help you identify these patterns and develop more balanced ways of thinking. For example, we will have you ask yourself questions like “what’s the evidence for this thought?” or “what would I tell a friend who was thinking this way?”
This isn’t about positive thinking. It’s about realistic thinking that doesn’t amplify your distress unnecessarily.
Getting the Right Mental Health Support
Dealing with anxiety related to eczema often starts with getting proper mental health support. Treatment plans typically include a couple of options.
A mental health assessment can determine if you meet criteria for generalized anxiety disorder or another diagnosis. Having that diagnosis isn’t just about labeling what you’re experiencing. It really helps drive your treatment plan forward.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression can be particularly effective. CBT gives you practical tools for managing anxiety in real-time, not just understanding where it comes from. It helps you identify thought patterns that amplify your distress and replace them with more balanced perspectives.
Neurofeedback is an evidence-based treatment that trains your brain by targeting specific brain wave patterns associated with anxiety and depression. For people with AD, this approach can help break the stress-flare cycle by regulating the brain activity that contributes to both anxiety and physical symptoms. The process begins with a QEEG to measure your baseline brain activity, then uses personalized sessions to help you manage the chronic stress of living with eczema.
Medication is another option. You can use anxiety medication on an as-needed basis, so you don’t have to take it all the time, just for specific events or particularly difficult periods. We recommend reaching out to your doctor to learn more.
When mental health symptoms emerge alongside chronic skin conditions, addressing both together creates a more complete path to relief.
If you are looking for support, we work with people throughout Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia who navigate both the physical symptoms of eczema and the psychological weight that sometimes comes with it.
Finding a therapist who understands what it’s like to manage both physical symptoms and emotional wellbeing makes all the difference in treatment effectiveness.
Beyond Therapy: Lifestyle Changes for Mental Health
In our experience working with people who have atopic dermatitis, some lifestyle changes made a real difference in their mental health.
Exercise matters. Whether that’s working out at a gym or going on a brisk walk in nature, physical activity helps regulate your nervous system and improve mood.
Sleep hygiene matters more than you might think. Getting good sleep is really important for mental health. Turning screens off an hour or so before you go to bed, creating a nice cool environment where you can sleep comfortably, these things can really make a big difference.
These might sound basic, but they’re often the first things to slip when anxiety or depression takes hold. When you’re managing both a chronic skin condition and mental health symptoms, these fundamentals aren’t optional. Your body is already under stress. Give it every advantage you can.
You Don’t Have to Carry This Alone
Living with atopic dermatitis is challenging enough without carrying the weight of eczema anxiety and depression by yourself.
If you’re experiencing social isolation, persistent worry about flare-ups, or finding that your skin condition is affecting your mental health, professional support can make a real difference.
We work with people throughout Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia who are navigating these exact challenges. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation through our website or text us at 202-998-ADHD (2343) to discuss how cognitive behavioral therapy can help you manage both the physical and emotional aspects of AD.
You can also watch Schuyler’s full discussion on managing the mental health aspects of atopic dermatitis in the WebMD feature.
The anxiety doesn’t have to win. With the right support and tools, you can find relief.
Three Locations in the DMV Area
Washington, DC Location:
- In-person and online therapy available
- Neurofeedback services (in-person only)
- Address: 1629 K ST NW, Suite 450 (4th floor) Washington, D.C. 20006
- Phone: +1 202-998-ADHD (2343)
- Email: [email protected]
Baltimore Location:
- Online therapy services
- Phone: +1 443-792-8443
- Email: [email protected]
Virginia Location:
- Online therapy services
- Phone: +1 202-998-ADHD (2343)
- Email: [email protected]