Australians are obsessed with having a beautiful body. A new research shows how this obsession affects thousands of young Australians living with psoriasis, an auto-immune condition of the skin. They are being driven into hiding, with the superficial society contributing to feelings of isolation and self-loathing.

The Psoriasis Uncovered survey conducted during September 2010 collected information from 363 Australians with psoriasis, aged 18 and above, to assess the impact that living with psoriasis may have on their experiences and choices in life. It is estimated that more than half million Australians suffers from psoriasis.(An exhibition, "Psioriasis: The Naked Truth" was recently launched in Sydney.)

For this group, an alarming 82% of sufferers admitted to hiding a serious break-out of the condition (compared with older sufferers 68%) and 38% revealed the condition had affected their sex drive.

Additionally, an alarming 70% aged 25-35 admitted their social life had suffered severely because of their skin. The study also found that a huge 64% of sufferers diagnosed as a child (under 9 years), had been bullied for being different and 1 in 10 revealed they had resorted to alcohol to drown the sorrow their skin condition had caused them.

According to psychologist Jo Lamble, the secret torment faced by sufferers certainly runs more than skin deep and she is urging Australians to support the plight of those with imperfections.

"Day after day I see beautiful young Australians literally destroyed by their condition and living likehermits. They are in the prime of their lives but feel like social outcasts and as though society isjudging them. It's time we all took a reality check and pulled back on our obsession with outwardappearance."

"People often underestimate just how far-reaching the implications of a condition that affects aperson's appearance can be. Socially, sexually, emotionally, sufferers struggle. They are constantly embarrassed by the state of their skin and try at all costs to hide it from friends, colleagues and loved ones which in turn can lead to situational avoidance, relationship heartache, isolation and depression."

Psoriasis Uncovered also revealed that 75% of Australians living with psoriasis revealed the condition impacted their relationships, marriages, family and social lives.Eighty percent of those sufferering from psoriasis experience mood changes such as frustration and anger.

An alarming 30% revealed that they do not feel affectionate toward their partner or children as aresult of their condition, while 48% feel irritable with themselves self or others. Forty-nine percent admitted to fighting with others as a result of their condition, with 39% of those under 35 felt most affected between the ages of 16-20.

The Psoriasis Uncovered survey was developed in conjunction with dermatologists and is a partnership initiative between Psoriasis Australia and Abbott Australasia. The findings of the research were released leading to World Psoriasis Day tomorrow, October 29.