[A peek inside the field of psychodermatology]

Abstract

Skin disorders are one of the most prevalent conditions observed in general practice, and they are often accompanied by other physical conditions. At dermatological clinics, increasing attention is being paid to psychosocial problems in patients with chronic skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema or skin-related oncology problems. Psychological adjustment problems, severe itch-scratch problems, shame, social fear, or low therapy adherence are frequent reasons for a referral to psychologists trained in dermatological problems and other psychosocial health professionals. In addition, the treatment of patients with primarily psychological problems within the dermatology domain, such as body dysmorphic disorder, trichotillomania or delusional parasitosis, generally requires a multidisciplinary approach. In this article, the impact of a skin disorder on the quality of life and the impact of psychodermatological factors on the course and development of a skin disorder are illustrated by means of 3 cases. The cases provide a brief overview of the psychological diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in different dermatological conditions.