How acne and depression feed each other - CNN.com

(CNN) -- Kelly, 22, has suffered from depression since age 8. But it's only recently that she realized how much worse she feels when her acne flares up. During the two years in college when her depression waned, so did her skin problems.

"When I was free of the depression, I was feeling completely confident and able to make use of all of the opportunities, and much more able to present myself and meet people," said Kelly, who asked that her last name not be used. "And, of course, also with the acne clearing up, I didn't worry about people seeing me and judging me based on acne."

The connection between acne and depression has long been documented, especially in teens, but some attributed it to particular medications for acne such as isotretinoin (sold as Accutane, Clarus and others). But a recent study in the British Medical Journal found that the drug itself may not matter; according to Swedish researchers, acne itself raises the risk of depression and suicide attempt.

That may be because appearance is intimately linked with self-esteem, doctors say.

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