Beneath the Surface: Dermatology and Psychiatry

The 2014 article discussed the interplay between dermatological conditions and psychiatric disorders, highlighting the psychological effects of skin diseases and the inclusion of excoriation disorder in the DSM-5, affecting up to 2.2% of the population, predominantly females. It described the distress and psychiatric comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression, associated with skin picking disorder, and the need for targeted treatments since SSRIs have shown mixed results. The article also addressed the psychiatric impact of conditions like psoriasis, which can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts, and emphasized the importance of routine psychological screening and interventions. It called for a closer integration of dermatology and psychiatry to enhance patient care and suggested that interdisciplinary collaboration could lead to a better understanding of disease mechanisms. However, it noted the limited and possibly declining availability of psychological services for dermatology patients in the UK.