The impact of vitiligo on emotions, social interactions, and relationships
The change in appearance caused by vitiligo can affect a person’s emotional and psychological well-being and may cause lifestyle alterations. The Vitiligo and Life Impact Among International Communities (VALIANT) study, conducted in 2021, demonstrated that at least 40% of vitiligo patients experience daily quality of life concerns related to vitiligo. Respondents reported frequent repercussions of vitiligo related to social interactions, work or school attendance, intimacy with partners, and other elements of daily life . The study further revealed that more than half of the surveyed individuals reported mental health diagnoses including anxiety and depression, especially among those with higher body surface areas affected by vitiligo.
Coping with the social-emotional impact of vitiligo
One of the first steps in coping is finding a doctor who is knowledgeable about vitiligo and current treatments and is capable of providing emotional support. Patients should also learn as much as possible about vitiligo and treatment choices so that they can participate in shared decision making for vitiligo treatment. This proactive approach will help them regain control of their life rather than allowing vitiligo to make the rules.
It’s extremely important to establish support among family and friends and to talk with others who have vitiligo. Some people with vitiligo find support groups to be supportive and affirming environments.
Suicide
A vitiligo diagnosis can be a devastating, but suicide is never the answer. Help is available. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis and/or considering suicide, please reach out to the free resources below.
| Country | Hotline organization | Website | Phone number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Centro de Asistencia al Suicida | www.asistenciaalsuicida.org | (011) 5275-1135 |
| Australia | Lifeline Australia | www.lifeline.org | 13 11 14 |
| Austria | TelefonSeelsorge Österreich | www.telefonseelsorge.at | 142 |
| Belgium | Centre de Prévention du Suicide | www.preventionsuicide.be | 0800 32 123 |
| Belgium | Zelfmoord 1813 | www.zelfmoord1813.be | 1813 |
| Brazil | Centro de Valorização da Vida | www.cvv.org | 188 |
| Canada | Crisis Services Canada | www.crisisservicescanada.ca/fr | 833-456-4566 |
| Chile | Ministry of Health of Chile | www.hospitaldigital.gob | 6003607777 |
| China | Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Center | www.crisis.org | 800-810-1117 |
| Costa Rica | Colegio de Profesionales en Psicología de Costa Rica | psicologiacr.com/aqui-estoy | 2272-3774 |
| France | SOS Amitié | www.sos-amitie.org | 09 72 39 40 50 |
| Germany | TelefonSeelsorge Deutschland | www.telefonseelsorge.de | 0800 1110111 |
| Hong Kong | Suicide Prevention Services | www.sps.org | 2382 0000 |
| India | iCall Helpline | icallhelpline.org | 9152987821 |
| Ireland | Samaritans Ireland | www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help | 116 123 |
| Israel | [Eran] ער”ן | www.eran.org | 1201 |
| Italy | Samaritans Onlus | www.samaritansonlus.org | 800 86 00 22 |
| Japan | Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology | www.mext.go.jp | 81-0120-0-78310 |
| Japan | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan | www.mhlw.go | 0570-064-556 |
| Malaysia | Befrienders KL | www.befrienders.org | 03-76272929 |
| Netherlands | 113Online | www.113.nl | 0800-0113 |
| New Zealand | Lifeline Aotearoa Incorporated | www.lifeline.org | 0800 543 354 |
| Norway | Mental Helse | mentalhelse.no | 116 123 |
| Philippines | Department of Health – Republic of the Philippines | doh.gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-Hotline | 0966-351-4518 |
| Portugal | SOS Voz Amiga | www.sosvozamiga.org | 213 544 545963 524 660912 802 669 |
| Russia | Фонд поддержки детей, находящихся в трудной жизненной ситуации [Fund to Support Children in Difficult Life Situations] | www.ya-roditel.ru | 8-800-2000-122 |
| Singapore | Samaritans of Singapore | www.sos.org | 1-767 |
| South Africa | South African Depression and Anxiety Group | www.sadag.org | 0800 567 567 |
| South Korea | 중앙자살예방센터[Korea Suicide Prevention Center] | www.spckorea.or | 1393 |
| Spain | Teléfono de la Esperanza | www.telefonodelaesperanza.org | 717 003 717 |
| Switzerland | Die Dargebotene Hand | www.143.ch | 143 |
| Taiwan | 国际生命线台湾总会 [International Lifeline Taiwan Association] | www.life1995.org | 1995 |
| United Kingdom | Samaritans | www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help | 116 123 |
| United States | National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | suicidepreventionlifeline.org | 988 |