Mine Karagozoglu
Psychologist
Hyperhidrosis characterized by excessive sweating of face, armpits, hands, and feet can result in severe psychological distress.
The quality of life is significantly impaired. The usual acts of social life such as handshaking and eye contact become more and more difficult. In summer, when heavy clothes, jackets, and coats are put away, people have a hard time hiding their sweat stains. They almost look paralyzed. They can’t move their arms as they wish to do and even give a big hug to their loved ones. The home gatherings where shoes have to be taken off is another problem. The sweated feet may leave a trace on the floor or on the couch. Another tragedy happens in the school. The exam paper may even become unreadable because of sweat.
That can lead to a significant performance decrease!
The events described above can result in the clinical picture of social phobia characterized by excessive avoidance of social situations. The person starts to run away from people. Distance in social relationships starts to build up. Romantic involvement becomes almost impossible since sweating is there and the person feels repulsive. Self-confidence drops dramatically. S/he feels more and more helpless. Depression is inevitable.
The appearance of hyperhidrosis in adolescence makes it highly susceptible to trigger a psychological disorder. The adolescent sweats more and more because of the heightened functioning of hormones. In this period of life where the development of social and intimate relationships are of central importance, sweating results in great inhibition. The adolescent, ashamed, starts to withdraw. She/he feels more and more insecure. She/he can neither play freely with friends nor hold a lover’s hand.
Adolescence is a period of the great discovery of so many things about life such as sports, art, sciences, literature, music, love, and friendships. The adolescent, so curious and eager to experiment and to get to know life whose presence feels more and more, takes in every bit of information and grows into an individual adult. So, the withdrawal in this very precious period of life can have long-lasting effects.
In spite of being a necessity for physical health, sweating is a bodily function that has to be fought against in social life. It makes people uncomfortable and sends others away.
Excessive sweating has negative effects on psychological well-being. Surgical intervention shouldn’t be delayed for the sake of a healthy life enriched with relations.
