Yes it is very crushing to a person's esteem and self image and actual image. no real cure or meds help- a small success rate with the SSRI's I cannot take. Years ago I was on an online support group but there was not a lot of activity on it. I mean I just wish that I could stop is what I need to do... just stop.
But then if it was that easy...
And yes stress exacerbates it a lot and that is why I have suffered for over 20 years.