What We Wish Others Knew: PsA Awareness Month 2022
It can be hard for others to understand what it means to live with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). So, we are debunking some common misconceptions about PsA.
Common PsA misconceptions
We asked community members, "People without psoriatic arthritis have a hard time understanding ____." Thank you to all who replied! See below for some common responses.
How age impacts psoriatic arthritis
Ever heard, "You are too young for arthritis?" Unfortunately, it is a common misconception. Young people also have PsA.
Quick Quiz
How many people were diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis before 40 years old?
PsA is not just joints – it impacts the whole body
PsA is often characterized by joint swelling and stiffness. Yet it can impact other areas of the body too. Test your knowledge! What was the average number of body parts impacted PsA according to our 6th Annual Psoriatic Arthritis In America survey?
Quick Quiz
What was the average number of body areas affected by PsA symptoms?
The true impact of fatigue
Fatigue, or extreme tiredness, is a common, and often debilitating symptom. Fatigue can cause canceled plans. People might be labeled as "lazy" by others. However, some people have found "spoon theory" to be a helpful tool to illustrate its impact.
This or That
Currently, which PsA symptom is impacting you more?
The ebb and flow of symptoms
Sometimes there are "good days" and "bad days." Life can be so unpredictable with flares. According to our 6th Psoriatic Arthritis In America survey, how many people had 10+ flares over the past year?
Quick Quiz
Over how many people said they have had 10+ PsA flares over the past year?
Resources to share with loved ones
It is not always easy to understand how psoriatic arthritis affects us. Below are some resources to share that help explain further.
- Video: The Reality of Psoriatic Arthritis: Using direct quotes from PsA community members, this video vividly depicts the pain and fatigue of psoriatic arthritis.
- The Added Pains of Explaining Psoriatic Arthritis: Community members share why PsA is so hard to explain to others.
- 5 Things I Wish My Family Knew: There are many things we wish our families knew about living with PsA. But it is not always easy to verbalize.
- A Psoriatic Life: Tips For Your Loved Ones: Clair sheds insight on why people with PsA might act in certain ways, especially when trying to manage the painful symptoms and draining fatigue.
This or That
What kind of support from loved ones could you use the most when flaring?
The power of our PsA stories
One way to highlight our voices and bring more awareness to psoriatic arthritis is by sharing our lived experiences and stories. Not sure where to start?
Community Poll
When it comes to living with multiple health conditions, I've found my:
Join the conversation