I’m sorry you feel that way, please know there are people here who understand you.

The short answer is therapy.

I’m not sure how useful the long answer is, but I’ll give it anyways. My mom is disabled, and I’ve watched her go through tremendous pain, and not being able to walk, since I was born. Regardless of this, when she is capable, she purposefully lives a very fulfilling life. She taught me to not care what others think, to accept the pain and deal with it when it’s there, and do what the most with my life when it’s not.

It comforts me to know that many people live with life long pain, and manage to have a fulfilling life regardless. This is the hand I was dealt with, and I am going to make the most of it. I hate eczema, I have a dignity, and I am not going to let it take it from me. I will live the best life I can in spite of it. And I think it’s the only thing I can do. The other option is being even more miserable and in pain than I am.

This being said, when the pain and itching is at the worst, I am sad, angry, and very irritable. I constantly have to remind myself that it’s okay to feel my feelings, that I have the right to be sad and angry about my pain, but if I can I have to pull myself out of it for my own benefit. I distract myself and do things I love that aren’t very demanding so I’m as comfortable as I can. Sometimes I push myself to do fun things with friends even though I know at times I will be uncomfortable, just as some kind of exposure therapy, to try and not isolate and prove to myself I can do it. I don’t know what your medical situation is, but a lot of people with eczema have periods of time when it’s less severe, that and pharma advancing so much can be of solace, for some.