BECOMING A MORE PROACTIVE PATIENT

Speak Up

Being proactive begins with being an effective advocate for yourself. You’re the expert in your own personal psoriasis experience. Sharing those details with your dermatologist gives them the information they need to make key decisions that could help improve your treatment.

Here’s how you can get started.

Taking Note: Symptom Journaling

Keeping a symptom journal allows you to create a detailed record of your personal psoriasis experience. So, grab a journal, download an app, or open a note in your phone and log anything that affects you and your psoriasis.

Photo of psoriasis patient journaling symptoms

Words Into Action: From Paper to Practice

Not sure how to shape your symptom journal entries into a conversation with your dermatologist? Use the sentence below as a guide. Fill it in with your details and use it as a way to start your conversation.

I’ve been on my current treatment for [ time ], but I’m still experiencing [ symptom ]. I’d like to have [ result ] by [ date ]. How can we get there?

Scalp Psoriasis Tips You Can Use

Learn how to help manage a common area for psoriasis.

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Next Steps: Set Expectations

Maybe you and your dermatologist have already covered your history with plaque psoriasis. If that’s the case, setting clear expectations is another way to be proactive.

Take the lead in the doctor’s office when you discuss what you expect from treatment:

Describe how much you would like to see your skin improve
Specify the physical symptoms you want to reduce
Detail any related health issues you’re having and ask how to address them

Illustration of a person atop a mountain, holding a flag

By sharing these expectations, your doctor can be responsive to your specific needs and work with you on your treatment plan.

Learn more about what to expect from your dermatologist.

Virtual dermatologist appointment on a tablet

Being Prepared: In Person or On Screen

More and more practitioners are turning to telemedicine. If you’ve scheduled an appointment, check in with the office to see if you need to have anything prepared beforehand.

Psoriasis Community Counts

Your personal relationships and network can serve as a solid resource for support and information and help you feel prepared to advocate for yourself.

Here are some ways you can benefit from your community:

Your Friends and Family

Lean on those closest to you for support and talk openly with friends and family you trust about your psoriasis.

Illustration of a laptop, showing two friends on screen

Online Support Groups

Find and join psoriasis groups on social media sites and learn from other people sharing the same experiences. You can start here by following psoriasisSPEAKS on Facebook.

Your Health Care Team

Talk about your psoriasis with the other practitioners in your personal health care team to help them properly address the different ways psoriasis affects you.

Being Proactive: Stay Ahead

Remember to reach out to your dermatologist early in order to get ahead of any issues you’re having with your psoriasis or treatment. You don’t have to settle for a treatment that isn’t working for you, and your dermatologist can partner with you by listening and responding to what you need.