06/18/2026
Jonathan’s Story:
It’s been 7 years since I first got diagnosed with psoriasis. For 26 years of my life, I had no idea what an immune mediated disease was.
For years, psoriasis made me feel like I had to hide parts of myself. Not just my skin, but my confidence too. It was never just about the flakes, the redness, or the itching. It was the planning before leaving the house. The clothes I chose to cover up. The moments I avoided because I didn’t want people staring, asking questions, or thinking I was contagious.
There were times I felt embarrassed, frustrated, and just tired. So exhausted from trying different treatments. Tired of explaining myself to everyone I met. Tired of acting like it didn’t affect me when, deep down, it did. But over time, specifically this year, after one of the worst flares I’ve ever had, I realized something: psoriasis may be part of my story, but it will never get to define me.
I also want to take a moment to say how grateful I am for my girlfriend. Through every flare, setback, and difficult day, she has always been there for me. Always cheering me on, encouraging me, and reminding me to keep going. Having someone by your side through the highs and lows of a chronic disease is something I never take for granted.
Sharing my journey has helped me find strength in the very thing I used to hide. It reminded me that there are so many of us going through this quietly, trying to look okay on the outside while carrying so much inside.
That’s why I started speaking up. For awareness. For the people who feel alone. For the men who were taught to stay quiet and ‘just deal with it.’ And for my younger self, who needed to know that having a visible disease doesn’t make you any less worthy of being seen.
I’m grateful to have found the NPF Community. Knowing that I’m not alone in this journey has brought me comfort I never knew I desperately needed. It has also given me a greater push to be proud of sharing my story with others, in the hope of providing support to the rest of our psoriasis community. Know that you are not alone. ❤️
This is psoriasis. This is my story.
And I’m still learning to show up as myself.
