Psychotropic Treatment of Psychodermatologic Disorders

The document from 14 years ago outlined the use of psychotropic drugs in treating psychodermatologic disorders, conditions where skin issues are influenced by psychological factors. It highlighted the need for dermatologists to understand the pharmacology of these drugs, including benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and antipsychotics, due to the mental-skin connection and patient hesitancy to see psychiatrists. Benzodiazepines are noted for their anxiolytic and sedative properties but have risks of tolerance and dependence. Antidepressants, especially those increasing serotonin, are effective for psychiatric diseases and prescribed for psychodermatoses, with SSRIs being preferred over MAOIs and TCAs due to fewer side effects. TCAs have cardiac risks requiring monitoring. SSRIs and other antidepressants are used for obsessive-compulsive dermatologic disorders, BDD, and delusional parasitosis, while antipsychotics are used for delusional parasitosis. The document also mentions SSRIs' potential in severe cases of dermatological diseases with psychological impacts, including androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata. It emphasizes careful prescribing, dose management, and patient communication by dermatologists.