Acne Skin: Not Just a Physical Flaw?
Acne skin is a condition wherein the skin pores of an individual is blocked and thus irritated, creating an abnormal abrasion, skin lumps or sometimes even accumulating pus. The condition can have different effects ranging from blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, irritated pores and so on. This condition is prevalent among teenagers, but acne skin attacks can continue right into a person?s thirties. Acne skin is experienced by 80-100% of the human race. You can, therefore, say that it is just a natural phenomenon. Acne skin is not a deadly condition to begin with, but it causes repercussions or consequences far beyond the realms of what it can physiologically do.
Nowadays, acne skin problems are seen not just in its physical context but also in its socio-cultural effects. Individuals no longer see it as a natural process, but as something that threatens their personal and social lives. Acne skin, in this manner, further causes stress to individuals and sometimes spells achievement and/or disaster especially in their high school years. When an individual is not capable in handling the taunts of acne skin infestation, he/she may have a psychological break down. In this manner, acne skin becomes a psychological ailment that triggers a host of other mental disorders.
There are pressures that are very common in the lives of individuals, but there are certain persons that do not acquire this coping mechanism to undergo stress, however minimal this stress is, such as in the case of acne skin. When this happens, acne skin is no longer just a physical stress or condition but it transcends its effects to the psycho-social development of an individual.
What causes these pressures? We will look at some of the major causes of an individual?s acne skin neurosis.
For some reasons, a teenager?s life is consumed by his/her high school environment. And in this circle, acne skin is such a big deal. Popularity matters. It is just that acne skin has no place in the pedestals of popularity in a high school. Football jocks, Prom Queens, Popular Whiz kids – these are some of the personalities that are IN the circle. Most often than not, the boy/girl with acne skin is ostracized. This stress in school is further compounded by broken families, and other stress-related conditions at the homes of these teens.
This gives pressure to individuals to have a different outlet for their acne skin pressure: drugs, smoking, alcoholism, computer addiction, loneliness, obsessive behavior and in rare cases suicide. What gives? What is the reason behind this acne skin phenomenon being a threat to an individual? One of the major factors that is shaping the popular social culture is the media. TV, Radio, Internet, Newspapers and Magazines portray the bold and the beautiful, the talented and the special. It seems that everyone should have six-pack abs, bodies to die for, super model ivory skin and acne skin does not have its place. You see a world where it just doesn’t make sense. Acne skin, in this manner, is outside the circle – however unreal this “circle” is. It is an illusion to show that the world is somehow perfect.
Acne skin is NOT a lethal enemy, it is experienced by almost every one person that walks this earth. Acne skin is common. Celebrities have them. Even the President had them. Models are continually having acne skin. This is a wake up call for us. That we can help others suffering from a form of psychopathology. This mental illness is far more serious than acne itself. This illness that is related to acne skin kills people?s lives. IT destroys the future of these individuals suffering from it. Acne skin related as it may seem, it goes beyond acne skin effects. It kills confidence, it creates unreal stress. It gives an individual no chances to face this rigid society. Having perfect skin, celebrity status, a body to die for, cars, women, etc… all of these are illusions created by a market oriented society that we have. When in reality, we are all acne skinned.