Pathology

Pathology ( ancient Greek πάθος - suffering, illness + μίμησις - imitation, image) - self-damage to the skin caused by a mental disorder ^[1] . Skin lesions can be applied to patients with or without intent ^[2] .

The clinical pictures of pathology are very diverse: from ordinary burns to deep necrotic lesions that mimic severe pathological processes. Patomyomy can be recognized by the unusual forms and outlines of dermatoses ; localization only on those skin areas that are accessible to the patient (limbs, face, chest, shoulder girdle) ^[1] ; inconsistency of clinical manifestations and course of dermatosis. Confirms the diagnosis of complete healing of the skin in conditions that exclude the possibility of repeated self-harm.

Patomimies are most common in personality disorders (psychopathies) and hysteria ^{[3] [1]} . According to A. B. Smulevich , within the framework of the psychopathological qualification of disorders that are combined with the concept of “pathology”, psychopathic states and many comorbid mental disorders, including personality disorders ( schizoid , hysterical , paranoid ), dissociative disorders , post-traumatic stress disorder , organic diseases of the CNS , depression , mental and behavioral disorders due to dependence on psychoactive substances ^[2] . Pathology is also found in schizophrenia , and in this case disfiguring self-harm and other forms of severe auto-aggressive behavior may be present in the clinical picture ^[2] .

Patients should be monitored and treated simultaneously with a dermatologist and a psychiatrist with the leading participation of the latter.