Psychodermatology

Psychodermatology is a section of dermatology that treats problem skin using psychological and psychiatric methods. Psychodermatology is one of the most relevant and, at the same time, little-studied areas of modern medicine. Mental disorders characterized by polymorphism of clinical manifestations are observed on average in 20-40% of patients in dermatological clinics.

The relationship between the skin and the psyche is very difficult to study, since, along with mental disorders, environmental factors, genetic factors, etc. Traditionally, psychodermatological disorders are divided into two groups:

1. Mental disorders masked by skin manifestations ( pathomimia , trichotillomania , neurotic excoriation , etc.).

2. Skin diseases, exacerbated due to psychogenic and situational factors ( atopic dermatitis , urticaria , psoriasis , eczema , etc.).

While psychotherapy is currently the main treatment method for the first group, the treatment of diseases of the second group requires a more comprehensive approach.