PLATTSBURGH -- Brandon Bedard watches his feet when he walks the halls of Northeastern Clinton Central School.

The high-school senior tries not to talk to people and avoids pep rallies.

He'd hide his face altogether if he could, to prevent people from seeing the pimples dotting it.

"It's disgusting," he said.

But his acne will be seen by millions when Bedard stars in an episode of MTV's "True Life," a documentary series running since 1998 that follows topics of interest to young people -- in Bedard's case, acne.

"It was a little awkward," he said of the camera crew that followed him around for a couple days.

Over the years, "True Life" has featured an array of topics, including drug use, adult-film stars, plastic surgery, phobias, eating disorders, sexual orientation and celibacy.

Bedard watches the show and responded to a request for people struggling with severe acne.

"I've had it since 14."

The condition leaves him feeling isolated.

He avoids conversations with classmates and doesn't look up much in school.

"I never get close to people," Bedard said. "It's definitely been a barrier."

He hasn't been picked on that much about it and admits his insecurities stem from within, yet he can't shrug off the feeling that everyone is staring at him.

"It's more self conscious than anything. It's self induced."

Still, acne has altered his life.