Matt’s story: Finding community and purpose with psoriasis| Takeda
Matt’s story: Finding community and purpose with psoriasis
Watch the 3-minute video to hear how Matt found strength through adversity, discovered the healing power of community and turned his experience with psoriatic disease into a source of purpose.
As a finance professional, woodworker and proud grandfather who enjoys DIY projects with his family, Matt wears many hats. He’s also lived with psoriasis since age 17 and was later diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis.
Looking back on his journey, Matt says: “Psoriasis taught me that I’m tougher than I thought I was, and I can overcome what seems insurmountable.”
For years, psoriasis affected more than just Matt’s skin. Persistent itching and visible plaques became part of everyday life, but when the plaques spread to his face, the disease became increasingly difficult to conceal. “There was no way to hide it,” Matt recalls, “you could see people visibly wince or even worse, make fun of it.” Later, new symptoms led to a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis, a painful condition that can develop in up to 30% of people living with psoriasis.1
Psoriasis is a chronic disease whose impact extends far beyond the skin. The visible plaques and itching characteristic of psoriasis, particularly when high-impact sites are affected, together with associated conditions such as psoriatic arthritis, can significantly impact daily living and overall confidence.1-6
The mental toll of psoriasis cannot be measured by what’s visible to the eye alone. While disease severity varies from person to person, when psoriasis involves high-impact sites such as the scalp, face, hands, feet, nails or other sensitive areas, it can profoundly shape a person’s life. Recognizing these unique challenges is essential to understanding the outcomes that matter most to people living with psoriasis.
For Matt, an important turning point was when he stopped trying to ignore his disease and decided to confront the impact it was having on his life. “I used to think that if I ignored my psoriasis, it would ignore me. And that is not the case at all,” he says.
Through patient advocacy and establishing connections with others in the psoriasis community, Matt found the understanding he’d been seeking. Alongside support from his healthcare team, those relationships helped him see that while every person's experience with psoriasis is different, no one has to go through it alone.
Stories like Matt’s help challenge misconceptions, build understanding and shine a light on the realities of living with psoriasis.
Key Takeaways
- Psoriasis can affect almost any part of the body, including high-impact sites such as the scalp, face, hands, feet, nails and genitals.6
- Visible symptoms at or around these high-impact sites, along with persistent itch, can have a disproportionate impact on quality of life.1-6
- Approximately 30% of people living with psoriasis may develop psoriatic arthritis, another chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease.1
- Finding community and support can help people feel understood and less alone throughout their journey. If you have questions about your condition or treatment, talk to your healthcare provider. You may also find support through online support forums or patient advocacy organizations.
- Queiro R, Pinto-Tasende JA and Montilla-Morales C. Navigating Psoriatic Arthritis: Treatment Pathways and Patient-Specific Strategies for Improved Outcomes. Drugs. 2025 Jul;85(7):867-882. doi: 10.1007/s40265-025-02192-y.
- Taliercio VL, Snyder AM, Webber LB, et al. The Disruptiveness of Itchiness from Psoriasis: A Qualitative Study of the Impact of a Single Symptom on Quality of Life. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2021;14(6):42-48.
- Langley RGB, Krueger GG, Griffiths CEM. Psoriasis: epidemiology, clinical features, and quality of life. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005;64(Suppl 2):ii18–23.
- Bhosle MJ, Kulkarni A, Feldman SR et al. Quality of life in patients with psoriasis. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2006;4(35). doi: 10.1186/1477-7525-4-35.
- Blackstone B, Patel R, Bewley A. Assessing and Improving Psychological Well-Being in Psoriasis: Considerations for the Clinician. Psoriasis (Auckl). 2022;12:25-33. doi:10.2147/PTT.S32844.
- Dopytalska K, Sobolewski P, Błaszczak A, Szymańska E, Walecka I. Psoriasis in Special Localizations. Reumatologia. 2018;56(6):392-398. doi:10.5114/reum.2018.80718.
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