Lifestyle Choices

Holidays and sun

Many people find their psoriasis improves in the summer, particularly when on holiday. The beneficial side effects of ultraviolet light contribute to this improvement as do relaxation, exercise and decreased stress. Take all the holidays you are allowed.

General skin care

It may help to use a bath oil to get a film of oil onto your skin. Moisturizers help - E45, emulsifying ointment, aqueous creams are all good. Something stickier like Vaseline may be useful on plaques at times.

Scalp involvement is a nuisance and frequent hair-washing may be necessary - a short style makes this easier to cope with. (more…)

Hospital may be advised or needed in cases of black or white depression. If you or a friend are likely to be admitted, it is worthwhile considering the advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

Hospital provides a refuge, a place of asylum. Although the concept of asylum has had rather a bad press in recent years, for someone who is desperate, a period of rest can be a life-saver. Hospital provides a break from all the pressure of the outside world and a place where most basic needs are taken care of. For someone in the very depths of hopelessness, a period of asylum can break the vicious circle of trying to perform, failing, feeling worse, feeling the pressure mount higher, trying again with even less hope, failing, and so on. Asylum does not necessarily need to be a hospital, but the reality is that there are few places that are willing or able to deal with very severely depressed people. (more…)

`My mother-in-law crashed the car and I got a call about it at work, in the middle of an important meeting. I dropped everything and rushed home.’

Catherine, 39, senior secretary

`Louis being sick in our gift shop in front of two customers. Louis hiding my car keys in afiling cabinet while my back was turned, so I had to beg for a lift home and spent the whole day the next day searching for them.’

Angela, 35, buyer (for a charity)

`Having a serious business meeting while my two-year-old son had a tantrum with his father outside the office door— terrible!’
Ann, 41, chartered accountant

`I am about to embark upon it: my mother-in-law (chief helper) is about to go into hospital for two new knee replacements. The following month my senior therapist goes on holiday for three weeks and one of my junior therapists is leaving and as yet I have not found a suitable replacement. My salon is open 9 am to 9 pm seven days a week and I will be on my own.’

Wendy, 36, beauty therapist

‘Between childminders I had to bring my two-month-old baby in to work with me. It was a nightmare. I even changed her nappy on the conference room table and she had to attend a

meeting with Me. NEVEPR/ma

Jane, 35, rketing manager

`Coping with the trauma of divorce and having to continue to work, as well as bringing up as child.’

Lesley, 4o, photogpher/book-keeper

`Having to try to get home when there wasn’t a train for five hours. When I told my boss, and bearing in mind that it was the first time this had happened in five years, all he said was: “What are you going to do about making up the lost time?” I was fuming. Luckily, another colleague drove me l00 miles to the next station, and I’d already put in more than sufficient hours at that stage’ (more…)