🚨 It’s #TimeToTalkDay or as I like to say it’s #ItchNBitch’ing time 🤣 The whole ethos behind @Itch_N_Bitch is starting conversations.
I wanted to home in on some of my top tips for helping someone open up about their Mental Health in relation to a skin condition⬇️
💬 Asking open questions lets them share as much as they’re comfortable with. DO NOT MENTION THEIR SKIN. Do not bring up their skin unless they do. Ask them how they’re doing… too often people focus on what they can see rather than how people are feeling.
💬Personally, please DO NOT TELL ME MY SKIN LOOKS GOOD WHEN FLARING. Compliment my outfit, my hair… Soo many times, I’ve plucked up the courage to go out mid-flare to be met with “your skins looking better” which as nice as it sounds actually tells the little anxious voice in my head that in fact I was right and everyone is staring at my skin *pulls sleeves down immediately*.
💬UNSOLICITED ADVICE. When you’re talking to someone about their mental health/ skin, it can be tempting to find a quick fix. This can become very overwhelming having people suggest endless ideas when all we really need is to vent and for someone to truly listen without adding pressure to our healing. Sadly, Unsolicited advice tries to oversimplify complex conditions.
💬PLANS. Understand I may need to cancel plans last minute. It can be extremely isolating when you want to go out and have fun but physically can’t. suggest plans in. DISTRACT ME, baking? Movie night? Painting? activities that keep my mind busy.
These are my personal bits of advice, hope it helps. I know it feels to feel the lowest of lows and feel like you’ll never get better or only be able to focus on the negative what-ifs instead of the positives.
One day you’ll be able to talk about your [INSERT CONDITION] without your voice breaking, you’ll openly share, educate others, and have this moment of release instead of dread when people ask you how you feeling.
Big love,
@Mackies_Moments & 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓘𝓽𝓬𝓱𝔂 𝓖𝓪𝓷𝓰 💋
#Oxytocin#HugHormone#itchnbitch#itchybitches#itchybitchesgetyourskinout
Itch N Bitch 