Update on Psychodermatological Disorders

The document from February 2010 reviews psychodermatological disorders, focusing on the relationship between the skin and psychological well-being. It emphasizes the role of psycho-neuroimmuno-endocrine mechanisms in skin disorders and the importance of addressing both psychological and dermatological aspects for effective treatment. The review suggests that a combination of pharmacological (such as psychotropic drugs) and nonpharmacological treatments (like cognitive-behavioral methods and hypnosis) may yield better results, particularly for conditions exacerbated by stress. Depression and anxiety are common among dermatology patients, with 32% showing signs of depression, and about 30% of patients with skin disorders have psychiatric disorders. The document also discusses the use of various medications, including SSRIs, antipsychotics, and anxiolytics, as well as complementary therapies and the potential of new technologies like brain imaging. It concludes that non-drug therapies, especially those targeting stress, are underutilized and could significantly improve treatment outcomes for skin disorders with psychological aspects.