Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that affects over 125 million worldwide and often manifests as unsightly spots on the skin. The right treatment can be hard to come by and patients’ emotional health can suffer along the way.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is an uncommon skin condition that causes painful nodules, abscesses that can rupture, and permanent scarring around the most intimate parts of the body. It can gravely impact mental health, destruct romantic relationships, and require hospitalization.

The Shape of Despair: Derm Animated Shorts demonstrates the true toll of these diseases. Two patients’ crushing stories come to life, illustrating in vivid color the burdensome cycle of physicians they saw and treatments they tried, and depicting in personal detail how the diseases have been damaging to the ones they love most.