Abstracts from the 17th Congress of the European Society for Dermatology and Psychiatry

The document summarizes research presented at the 17th Congress of the European Society for Dermatology and Psychiatry, focusing on the psychological impact of dermatological conditions. Key findings include a study with seven participants showing that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy significantly reduced social anxiety in individuals with visible skin conditions. Another study involving 650 UK adults with acne linked Facebook photo activity to increased acne-stigmatization, mediated by appearance comparisons. A multi-center study with 315 patients found that structured patient education improved coping, quality of life, and disease severity in atopic dermatitis patients. Additional research covered topics such as skin picking, psychological intervention for burning mouth syndrome, mental issues from pigmentary disorders, and stigmatization from dermatological conditions. The document also reviewed tools for measuring the impact on families and caregivers, and the effects of "tight eczema control" on coping and psychiatric symptoms in atopic dermatitis patients. Another study with 247 patient questionnaires found high satisfaction in dermatology consultations, particularly among patients aged 50 and older, with satisfaction linked to quality of life and physician engagement. Research on the psychological effects of visible burn injuries, anxious-depressive mood in parents of children with vitiligo, and the impact of atopic dermatitis on quality of life was also presented, emphasizing the need for psychological care. The effectiveness of a self-help intervention for individuals with visible skin differences was examined, though no significant outcome differences were found. Instruments for assessing stigmatization, the relationship between chronic spontaneous urticaria and life quality, and the prevalence of psychotropic medication use in psoriasis patients were also discussed, underscoring the importance of psychological considerations in dermatological treatment.