People with psoriasis are often judged by the appearance of their skin. The stigma associated with psoriasis can be extremely distressing, resulting in feelings of embarrassment and insecurity. Those affected often limit their social and leisure activities, becoming increasingly isolated and disconnected from family and friends and avoiding new situations. Having psoriasis may affect people’s choices of career, their relationships, and mental wellbeing.

The degree to which individuals are affected can depend on the way they think about their disease, the coping behaviours they engage in and their social networks. Some of those with psoriasis may do very well in life despite having this disabling skin condition. Others may feel that psoriasis has significantly changed the course of their life. It is these real-life differences that Under the Spotlight aims to capture.

In the initial documentary, brave people from Germany, Denmark and Sweden have agreed to go under the spotlight to reveal their hopes and dreams, their strengths and struggles. They wanted to help raise awareness of how psoriasis affects the way they live their lives, the decisions they make and the long-term impact.

Under the Spotlight will follow the lives of these individuals once-yearly for up to five years to see how living with psoriasis influences their lives over time. Although Under the Spotlight was initiated in three European countries, individual documentaries will begin in other markets in 2010. The resulting ongoing documentary series will reveal the challenges and triumphs of living with psoriasis in people across the globe.

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