As an itchy hypnotherapist living with topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) myself, I know how relentless and draining it can be. The pain, exhaustion, constant emotional strain… it can make each day feel like climbing a mountain with no rest stops. You keep pushing through – which then makes the physical symptoms worse. Plus, you’re grieving. For lost time with your child and lost opportunities. All you crave is a break, but life keeps on moving around you.

I left home… maybe 10 weeks ago? I honestly don’t know at this point. With a one-way flight to Thailand. Not expecting to find deep contentment and peace in Bali. Now I have a week left and a friend asked what I need to do that I’ve not managed yet…

Are your beliefs truly yours? Or just what you’ve been told? The culture and community around you shape these from an early age, do you ever pause to question them?

Living with a chronic skin condition such as eczema or going through Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) can feel incredibly isolating. The physical discomfort is relentless, but at least that can be seen and therefore more easily understood. What often goes unnoticed is the emotional and mental toll. Anxiety, depression, frustration, embarrassment, shame, guilt. These feelings are heavy, contributing to a dysregulated nervous system and inflammation. When you’re carrying them alone, they can feel unbearable.

This is an article I had published in Hypnotherapy Today Magazine, aimed at raising awareness of TSW (Topical Steroid Withdrawal) and other skin conditions, within the mental health space.