KEY POINTS:
Bad acne is messing with the minds of young people, causing some to attempt suicide, a new study finds.
The research, led by Peter Watson at Auckland University and published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, showed that 34 per cent of young people with problem acne had thought about killing themselves, and 13 per cent had attempted suicide.
"There is now increasing recognition of the association of skin disease with mental health," Dr Watson said.
"At this age young people are developing a sense of identity and self-worth, and so they are potentially vulnerable to any adverse psychological effects associated with acne."
Data from 9570 New Zealand secondary school students was used in the study.
Students with problem acne reported high rates of depressive symptoms (24 per cent), anxiety (9 per cent), suicidal thoughts (34 per cent) and suicide attempts (13 per cent).
The study found no link between depressive symptoms and anxiety in relation to gender, ethnicity, or age.
"The association of problem acne with suicide attempts is independent of anxiety and depressive symptoms," Dr Watson said.
"Our data suggest that doctors who see young people with problematic acne have a particularly important role to play in screening these young people for depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts and behaviour."
- NZPA
