“You look great.”
Someone with psoriasis may not look good all the time, and this person knows when it’s one of those days. Your compliment may be perceived as insincere, fake and disingenuous.
“I love your outfit.”
Or specifically compliment your loved one on something else, such as a necklace. That way you’ll make your loved one feel good. And giving a specific compliment will let the person with psoriasis know that your words are genuine.
"My friend is going through that, too."
Everyone’s experience with psoriasis differs, so you may provoke unnecessary anxiety by detailing what someone else has been through. Sure, you’re likely just looking for a way to connect with the person with psoriasis. But you don’t want to make this person more anxious about the situation.
“My friend is going through a similar issue. I’m happy to introduce the two of you.”
People with psoriasis often feel isolated and like no one understands what they’re going through. They’ll likely appreciate talking to someone else with the condition to compare treatment notes, discuss doctors, etc.
"I know how you feel.”
You’re saying this statement with the best intentions, expressing your compassion and sympathy. But unless you’ve had psoriasis, you don’t really know how this person feels. It may also make this person think detailed health information is off-limits.
“I’m here for you” or “I don’t know what to say but I’m sorry you’re going through this.”
By using phrases like these, you’re acknowledging that the person with psoriasis isn’t going through it alone. You’ll be there on good days and on bad ones. And if the person is having a bad day, you’re encouraging the person to tell you what's going on.
"Everything will be alright" or “You’ll beat this.”
By making pie-in-the-sky statements that are blindly optimistic, you may make the person feel like you aren’t taking the illness seriously.
“We’re in this together.”
Reassure the person that you’ll be supportive. Encourage the person to talk to you, remembering that you can listen without responding—sometimes people just want to be heard.
