Vitiligo: Patient stories, self-esteem, and the psychological burden of disease

Abstract

Vitiligo is a relatively common disorder that is characterized by depigmented patches of skin. Multiple studies characterize the overwhelming psychological burden that is experienced by many patients around the globe. This review examines personal patient stories and the impacts of age, culture, sex, race, and ethnicity in relationship to altered self-esteem and quality of life in patients who live with vitiligo. Keywords: vitiligo, self-esteem, quality of life, pigmentation, stigmatization