It's been 8 years that I've been hiding my hands, so I decided to share my psoriasis journey with Karma Ayurveda, as it has given me my life back, here is my story by Olivia Bennett from Portland Oregon USA:
What most people do not understand is that psoriasis is not just about the skin, but the fact that it will always steal you from yourself bit by bit. I am Olivia and I live in Portland Oregon where I work as a wedding photographer. My work is all about capturing moments in time that have a beautiful, transient quality; paradoxically I felt I could never stand in front of the camera for years now.
At the beginning, it was simply a few red patches on my elbows which I put down to dryness but within months, I found they had spread to my scalp, my knees, and also to my hands. The itching was excruciating but the humiliation even worse, I would automatically try to pull down my sleeves or hide my hands behind the lens during photo shoots with new clients.
"Is it contagious?" this was the dreaded question and it would pierce through my already considerable physical pain. I was so embarrassed, and I started wearing long sleeves constantly, swimming pools became a no-go zone and I'd try to avoid shaking anyone's hand if at all possible. My confidence began to diminish quite rapidly.
The doctors had a diagnosis for my skin condition-psoriasis-and they would prescribe ointments and creams; some would offer temporary respite but the flare-ups kept returning and the next was worse than the last. Just when I felt I was managing the condition it seemed to appear yet another patch.
While I was out of the house editing wedding photos until late one night, I started scrolling through alternatives online for treating my condition and I came across the Karma Ayurveda Reviews USA. I was hooked for hours on reading the success stories from various previous patients, both for clear skin as well as for people regaining lost confidence and it was the latter that caught my eye as much as the first.
I made a booking and only told my husband I was attending the appointment. Dr. Sharma was a far gentler soul to me, he seemed more concerned with me as a person than the condition of my skin, I talked about my diet, sleep patterns, stress levels, how my stomach was doing, even the time I spent at work; at first I could not see how this related to my psoriasis, but soon realised unlike previous doctors, these ones were more concerned about treating the cause rather than the symptoms.
Following the bespoke Ayurveda prescription they gave me and keeping tabs on myself was not that easy at first; I had to alter my diet drastically, give up all junk food, correct my sleep and stick to the schedule that had been recommended to me. There were no quick fixes and I knew this would take time.
However around 6 weeks later I found that the itching I suffered at night had subsided, for the first time and in my opinion this was progress enough; my husband said he was happy that I seemed to be smiling more and I was not constantly scratching myself when I spoke. The skin itself hadn't completely healed but looked calmer, and I did not constantly find myself looking at my reflection in shop windows as I walked past anymore and that was all on the surface.
For so long psoriasis had held me hostage, making me choose my outfits with what body parts it had targeted and what I would cover it up with; I missed beach holidays, social events and did not want my family photographed in any picture with me. These fears are now slowly ( and barely perceptibly) fading away.
Months later at my little sister's wedding I wore a sleeveless dress for the first time in years; no one stared, no one commented and I did not even think about my skin. I was present.
Contact with Karma Ayurveda while being in Oregon was its own kind of challenge but every single consultation felt thorough and personalized and I never felt I was rushed on the phone; I appreciated their honesty and transparency as they do not ever promise ridiculous cures but just remind you how much perseverance, self-discipline and how to have a reasonable expectation about healing since everyone heals in their own time, I trusted them.
Psoriasis no longer rules my life. Am I taking care of myself and my skin? Of course, I am. Do I live a healthy lifestyle? Every single day, do I continue to prioritize living life to the fullest? Yes. A huge proportion of this is owed to Karma Ayurveda as they have literally given my life back to me and, I believe, when anyone looks up Karma Ayurveda Reviews USA they want assurance that it was worthwhile. For me it absolutely was, not only because my skin healed, but because I felt I have got myself back which I had long given up for lost.
For anyone who is reading this and is suffering with psoriasis: I understand the feelings of isolation, of the desperate need to cancel on people, the pain of being stared at and how utterly exhausting it is to feel so completely misunderstood. Do not let humiliation keep you from seeking help, from exploring alternative ways and above all else, please, do not let a skin condition convince you that you deserve anything less than a full and happy life.
Now, I do not have to hide behind my camera for photo opportunities, when clients ask to have a photo taken with me I just smile and extend my hand, and I still marvel at how far I have come; not how much my skin had improved in the first instance but the day that psoriasis stopped defining me. And Karma Ayurveda Reviews USA have encouraged me to start writing a new chapter; sometimes the changes needed are inside you and not outside.